GS Paper - 3
Small Finance Banks (SFBs)
31-10-2025
Source: BS
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has returned Jana Small Finance Bank’s (SFB) application for transition into a universal bank, citing non-fulfilment of eligibility criteria outlined under its 2024 guidelines for SFBs.
What is a Small Finance Bank?
- About: SFBs are private institutions created to enhance financial inclusion in India. They offer basic banking facilities, including deposits and credit, to unserved and underserved groups like small farmers, micro industries, and informal sector enterprises.
- Origin: Announced in Union Budget 2014–15 to boost financial inclusion, the idea stems from the 2009 Raghuram Rajan Committee’s A Hundred Small Steps report.
- Eligibility Criteria: Resident individuals/professionals with 10 years of experience in banking and finance.
- Capital Requirements: For Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks transiting into SFBs, initial requirement of net worth shall be ₹100 crore, which will have to be increased to ₹200 crore.
- Minimum paid-up voting equity capital / net worth requirement shall be ₹200 crore.
- Promoter’s initial contribution: 40%, to be reduced to 26% within 12 years.
- Foreign investment permitted as in other private sector banks.
- Regulatory and Prudential Norms: SFBs are full-fledged banks, unlike Payments Banks, and follow RBI’s prudential norms such as CRR and SLR maintenance.
- Regulated under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and supervised by the RBI.
- Operational Mandates: Must allocate 75% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
- At least 50% of loans should be of value up to Rs 25 lakh.
- No geographical restrictions, but 25% of branches must be in unbanked rural centres.
- Preference to banks setting up in under-banked states/districts.
- Permissible Activities: It can distribute mutual fund units, insurance, and pension products with RBI and sectoral regulator approval.
- May become a Category II Authorised Dealer in foreign exchange.
- Cannot establish subsidiaries for non-banking financial activities.
RBI's 2024 Guidelines for Converting SFBs into Universal Banks
- Eligible Applicants: Only listed Small Finance Banks (SFBs) are eligible to apply for conversion into a Universal Bank.
- Financial Requirements: Must have a minimum net worth of Rs 1,000 crore, scheduled bank status, and a profitable operational record for at least five years.
- Asset Quality Criteria: Must maintain gross NPAs below 3% and net NPAs below 1% consistently for the previous two years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Small Finance Bank?
SFBs are private institutions created to enhance financial inclusion in India. They offer basic banking facilities, including deposits and credit, to unserved and underserved groups like small farmers, micro industries, and informal sector enterprises.
2. When were SFBs introduced and under whose recommendation?
Introduced in Union Budget 2014–15, based on the 2009 Raghuram Rajan Committee Report – “A Hundred Small Steps.”
3. What are the key eligibility criteria for an SFB to convert into a universal bank as per RBI's 2024 guidelines?
The SFB must be listed, have a minimum net worth of ₹1,000 crore, a profitable track record of 5 years, and maintain gross NPAs <3% and net NPAs <1% for two consecutive years.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Q. What is the purpose of setting up of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in India? (2017)
- To supply credit to small business units
- To supply credit to small and marginal farmers
- To encourage young entrepreneurs to set up business particularly in rural areas.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
NISAR Satellite
31-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, an Earth observation mission, was launched by ISRO from Sriharikota.

What are the Key Facts About NISAR Satellite?
- About: NISAR, jointly developed by ISRO and NASA, is the first satellite mission to use dual-frequency radar (L-band and S-band) from a single platform, with advanced microwave imaging capabilities including polarimetric and interferometric data.
- Technical Features:
- Dual-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR):
- L-band SAR (by NASA): Penetrates forest canopy, ice, and soil, useful for biomass and deformation studies.
- S-band SAR (by ISRO): Better for monitoring crops, wetlands, and other surface-level features.
- Launch Vehicle: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II) (specifically the GSLV-F16 variant), India’s largest rocket, is an expendable three-stage launch vehicle.
- The NISAR mission marks the first time ISRO is using a GSLV to place a satellite in sun-synchronous polar orbit.
- Mission Life: 5 Years.
- Phases: The mission includes four phases- launch, deployment, commissioning, and science operations.
- The deployment phase extends a 12-meter antenna 9 meters from the satellite, with commissioning in the first 90 days, followed by science operations for the rest of the mission.
- Mission Objectives and Coverage: The NISAR mission will provide high-resolution data every 12 days to monitor land changes across Earth.
- It will track ground deformation caused by earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity.
- Measure forest biomass and carbon stock by observing woody vegetation.
- It monitors agricultural patterns such as crop extent and growth cycles, and assesses changes in wetlands driven by seasonal and climatic variations.
- Study cryosphere dynamics, including glacier and sea ice melt in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
- Significance for India: NISAR marks as a key step in Indo-US space ties, the launch reflects India’s rise as a global science partner or ‘Vishwa Bandhu’.
- It supports disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring.
- Furthermore, India has joined the Artemis Accords and collaborated with NASA on human spaceflight, marking a deeper partnership in space exploration.
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What is a Radar Band?
- About: Electromagnetic radiation with frequencies between about 10 kHz and 100 GHz are referred to as radio frequencies (RF).
- The RFs are divided into groups that have similar characteristics, called "bands," such as "S-band," "L-band," etc.
- Common Radar Bands:
- Significance:
- Lower frequency bands (L, S) can penetrate through rain, clouds, vegetation useful for mapping and Earth observation.
- Higher frequency bands (X, Q, V, W) give sharper images and better resolution, but are more affected by weather and atmospheric conditions.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)
- PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
- Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
- GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 3 only
Ans: (a)
Q. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? (2014)
Spacecraft Purpose
- Cassini-Huygens : Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth
- Messenger : Mapping and investigating the Mercury
- Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
RBI Gold Reserves Surpass USD 100 Billion
30-10-2025
Source: Mint
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stepped up its gold repatriation efforts, bringing back nearly 64 tonnes of gold from abroad between April and September 2025, raising India’s gold reserves to USD 108 billion.
- Over the past decade, India saw its gold share in foreign exchange reserves almost double from less than 7% to nearly 15%.
- As of September 2025, the RBI held 880.8 tonnes of gold — 575.8 tonnes in India, 290.3 tonnes abroad (Bank of England & Bank for International Settlements), and 14 tonnes as deposits.
What are the Key Reasons Behind the RBI's Increase in Its Gold Reserves?
- Diversification of Forex Reserves: India’s forex reserves are mainly in US dollars, euros, and other currencies. Increasing gold holdings diversifies risks, protecting reserves from currency volatility.
- Hedge Against Global Uncertainty: During global crises like wars, inflation spikes, or financial instability, gold acts as a safe-haven asset.
- Rising geopolitical tensions and market uncertainty drive the RBI to boost gold holdings as a safety buffer.
- Strong Returns: Gold prices show long-term appreciation, often outperforming currencies in uncertainty. The RBI’s increased gold holdings ensure asset gains and reserve security.
- De-dollarization Trend: Many central banks like China, Russia, Turkey, and Poland are buying gold to cut US dollar dependence.
- The RBI’s gold purchases align with this de-dollarization trend, boosting monetary autonomy.
- Domestic Factors and Management: Part of the RBI’s gold accumulation comes from domestic banks that import gold, adding to reserves without using foreign currency.
- This marks a return to prudent reserve management, reflecting lessons from the 1991 crisis and 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
India's Foreign Exchange Reserve
- Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) are held in currencies such as the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, and Japanese yen.
- The reserves of gold maintained by the Reserve Bank of India.
- The Reserve Bank’s financial holdings with the International Monetary Fund.
- Special Drawing Rights (SDR), a reserve asset created by the IMF to enhance the reserve assets of its member countries, earning interest.
- Reserve Tranche Position (RTP): The difference between a member's IMF quota and the IMF's holdings of the member’s currency, which can be withdrawn without stringent conditions.
- Total Reserves: India's foreign exchange reserves stand at USD 702.28 billion as of October 2025.
- Composition of Reserves:
- Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): USD 570.411 billion.
- Gold Reserves: USD 108.546 billion
- Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): USD 18.722 billion.
- Reserve Position with IMF: USD 4.602 billion
Why does the RBI Store Part of India's Gold Reserves Abroad?
- Geopolitical Risk Mitigation: RBI diversifies gold storage across London, New York, and Zurich to avoid over-concentration and ensure access during disruptions.
- International Liquidity: Gold in global hubs enables quick conversion to cash and access to international markets when needed.
- Economic Resilience: Overseas gold reserves can be pledged or swapped with global institutions like the IMF or BIS to quickly raise foreign currency and help India meet financial obligations during crises.
- Trusted Custodians: The Bank of England and BIS provide secure, reliable frameworks for gold storage.
- Advanced Security: Vaults in London, Switzerland, and New York feature reinforced structures, biometric access, and 24/7 monitoring for maximum protection.
Conclusion
RBI's accelerated gold repatriation is a strategic move to de-risk India's sovereign assets from geopolitical financial warfare, enhancing economic sovereignty and financial security in a fragmented world.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Analyse the strategic rationale behind the RBI’s gold repatriation drive since 2023 and its implications for India’s financial sovereignty
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much gold does the RBI hold domestically and overseas (Sept 2025)?
Total 880.8 tonnes: 575.8 tonnes domestic, 290.3 tonnes with Bank of England/BIS, plus 14 tonnes as deposits.
2. What proportion of India’s reserves is constituted by gold?
Gold accounts for 13.9% of India’s foreign reserves (Sept 2025), increasing strategic reserve diversification.
3. How does gold repatriation affect India’s import cover and resilience?
Repatriation improves reserve adequacy and import cover (now ~11 months), strengthening ability to meet external obligations
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q.What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and ‘Gold Monetization Scheme’? (2016)
- To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy.
- To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector.
- To reduce India’s dependence on gold imports.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Q.Which one of the following groups of items is included in India’s foreign-exchange reserves? (2013)
(a) Foreign-currency assets, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and loans from foreign countries
(b) Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and SDRs
(c) Foreign-currency assets, loans from the World Bank and SDRs
(d) Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and loans from the World Bank
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Craze for gold in Indians has led to surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of Gold Monetization scheme. (2015)
8th Session of the International Solar Alliance(ISA)
30-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly in New Delhi, urging the Global South to lead an inclusive solar revolution and reaffirming India’s commitment to a solar-powered world.
What are the Key Highlights of the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly?
- SUNRISE Network: ISA launched the SUNRISE (Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement) initiative to promote a circular economy in the solar sector.
- It focuses on recycling, innovation, and creating green jobs through sustainable solar waste management.
- One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG): A dedicated OSOWOG programme was introduced to build regional solar interconnections across continents.
- The plan identifies key transmission links between Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, with feasibility studies to be conducted in the next 2–3 years.
- SIDS Solar Procurement Platform: Sixteen Small Island Developing States (SIDS) signed an MoU with ISA and the World Bank to collaborate on joint solar procurement, digital integration, and capacity building for stronger energy resilience.
- Global Capability Centre and ISA Academy: ISA announced the Global Capability Centre in India as a “Silicon Valley for Solar,” connecting global centres of excellence.
- The ISA Academy, an AI-based e-learning platform, will offer training and resources to strengthen global solar skills and knowledge.
ISA Reports on Global Solar Trends
- The Assembly launched Five ISA Reports: Ease of Doing Solar 2025, Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa, Solar Compass, Global Floating Solar Framework, and Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025, highlighting key global solar trends.
- Ease of Doing Solar 2025: Global energy transition investments in 2024 reached USD 2,083 billion. ISA Member Countries contributed USD 861.2 billion, showing the Global South’s growing leadership.
- Solar power drew USD 521 billion, making it the leading force in renewable investments.
- Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025: Confirms that solar is now the dominant force driving clean energy growth worldwide.
- Solar Compass: Integrated PV Applications: Highlights opportunities in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), as 70% of future buildings in developing countries are yet to be built.
- ISA aims to lower BIPV costs to rooftop solar levels and promote solar-ready housing policies across the Global South.
What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
- Origin and Membership: The ISA was launched in 2015 by India and France during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris. It is the first international intergovernmental organisation headquartered in India.
- It currently has 125 Member and Signatory Countries, working together to expand access to clean, affordable, and reliable solar energy worldwide.
- Core Mission: ISA aims to enhance global energy access and security by promoting solar power as a key driver of the world’s transition to a sustainable energy future.
- Strategic Pillars:
- Catalytic Finance Hub: It aims to mobilise USD 1 trillion in investments by 2030.
- Global Capability Centre & Digitisation: Promotes innovation, capacity building, and digital platforms across Member Countries.
- Regional & Country-Level Engagement: Drives tailored interventions through partnerships and local cooperation.
- Technology Roadmap & Policy: Supports deployment of emerging solar technologies through practical policies and knowledge resources.
- Significance: ISA seeks to transform lives by bringing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to communities, promoting sustainable growth and improving quality of life globally.
How is India Leading the Solar Energy Transition?
- Record Renewable Energy Achievements: As per IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics 2025, India ranks 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity, 4th in Wind Power, and 3rd in Solar Power capacity.
- Solar capacity has increased more than 39 times, from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 110.9 GW in 2025, including a record 23.83 GW added in 2024–25 alone.
- India achieved 50% of its installed capacity from non-fossil sources five years ahead of its 2030 target, reflecting strong policy and institutional commitment.
- Manufacturing Boost (2014 to March 2025): Solar PV module capacity surged from 2.3 GW to 88 GW, a 38-fold increase.
- Solar PV cell capacity grew from 1.2 GW to 25 GW, a 21-fold increase.
- Flagship Initiatives:
- National Solar Mission : Part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, it aims to establish India as a global leader in solar energy.
- PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Promotes rooftop solar adoption for households.
- PM-KUSUM Scheme: Supports farmers in installing solar pumps and grid-connected systems.
- Solar Parks Scheme: Enables large-scale solar project development across states.
- Production Linked incentive (PLI) for Solar Manufacturing: Boosts domestic production of high-efficiency solar modules.
- India’s initiatives like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM are now being replicated across Africa and SIDS through ISA partnerships.
- Sustainable and People-Centric Approach: India’s renewable journey balances growth with ecological preservation, focusing on technology sharing and inclusive development.
- Progress is measured not just in megawatts, but in lives improved and communities empowered.

What are the Challenges and Opportunities for India’s Solar Energy Development?
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Aspect
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Challenges
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Opportunities
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Import Dependence
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India relies on China for over 50% of its solar cells and modules, and its high dependence on critical minerals creates supply chain and energy security risks.
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Boost local manufacturing through the PLI scheme and mineral recycling to cut import dependence.
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Employment
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Job creation limited by import-heavy value chains.
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Scaling domestic production can expand green employment.
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Land Use Conflicts
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Solar projects require vast tracts of land, often competing with agriculture and biodiversity.
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Promote agrivoltaics (dual land use) and floating solar projects like Omkareshwar (600 MW) to minimise trade-offs.
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Grid and Storage Deficits
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Transmission losses and costly storage systems hinder solar integration.
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Invest in smart grids, National Logistics Policy, and hybrid (solar-hydro-battery) models for stability.
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Manufacturing Gaps
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Weak R&D and lack of infrastructure for upstream components (polysilicon, wafers).
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Develop full solar manufacturing ecosystem and incentivise research in perovskite & next-gen PV tech.
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Solar Waste Management
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Lack of recycling norms poses future environmental hazards.
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Implement solar recycling guidelines and develop circular economy models (e.g., SUNRISE network).
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Energy Demand Growth
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Energy demand is projected to reach 73 exajoules by 2050, increasing fossil dependence if unmet.
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Scaling solar under schemes like PM-KUSUM, Solar Parks, and ISA cooperation can meet rising demand sustainably.
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Conclusion
Guided by the founding vision of “One World, One Sun, One Grid,” India reaffirmed its commitment to ISA’s leadership in advancing global solar cooperation, sustainable innovation, and inclusive energy access.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Critically examine the role of the International Solar Alliance in promoting South–South cooperation for energy transition.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
ISA is a global alliance launched by India and France in 2015 to promote solar energy adoption; it has 125 member and signatory countries and is headquartered in India.
2. What is SUNRISE and why is it important?
SUNRISE (Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement) is an ISA initiative to develop solar recycling and circularity, reduce end-of-life waste and generate green jobs across the solar value chain.
3. What does One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) aim to achieve?
OSOWOG seeks regional solar interconnections across Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa to enable cross-border clean power exchange and enhance energy security.
4. Which flagship Indian schemes are being shared internationally via ISA?
India’s people-centric programmes PM-Surya Ghar (rooftop solar) and PM-KUSUM (solarisation of pumps and decentralised systems) are being promoted as replicable models for Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
- The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. India has immense potential for solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate. (2020)
PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
30-10-2025
Source:PIB
Why in News?
The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission ) was launched in October 2021 to address the gaps in India’s healthcare system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to enhance preparedness for future health crises.
- The mission advances universal health coverage goals and aligns with SDG-3 targets.
What is PM-ABHIM?
- About: The PM-ABHIM is one of the largest nationwide health initiatives, aims to build a resilient, accessible, and self-reliant public health system capable of responding effectively to current and future health emergencies.
- Aim & Implementation: It aims to bridge the service delivery gaps between urban and rural areas.
- It operates under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) component, and focuses on strengthening health infrastructure at all levels- from primary and secondary to tertiary - during FY 2021–22 to FY 2025–26.
- One Health Approach: It emphasises disease surveillance, research, and the adoption of the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
- Major Components of PM-ABHIM:
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): upgrading Sub-Health and Primary Health Centres into rural (R-AAMs) and urban (U-AAMs) units for comprehensive care.
- Block Public Health Units (BPHUs): strengthen local health administration and services.
- Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs): district-level labs for advanced diagnostics and disease tracking.
- Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs): New tertiary-care units in high-population districts.
- Health Surveillance & IT Systems: real-time digital network connecting labs nationwide.
- Health Research & Innovation, support for studies on infectious diseases and One Health initiatives.

- Significance:
- Comprehensive Healthcare System Strengthening: By upgrading and establishing AAMs, IPHLs, and CCBs, the mission ensures that healthcare services are accessible to all, especially in underserved areas.
- Expansion of Surveillance Systems: PM-ABHIM strengthens India’s disease surveillance network, providing real-time data integration from block, district, regional, and national levels.
- Support for Universal Health Coverage (UHC): By building infrastructure and improving service delivery, PM-ABHIM aligns with India’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and advancing the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3), ensuring access to quality healthcare for all citizens.
- Decentralized Healthcare Delivery: PM-ABHIM emphasizes local healthcare delivery by upgrading Sub-Health Centres and establishing Urban Health and Wellness Centres (U-AAMs) in slum and underserved urban areas, improving access to primary care services.
What are India’s Various Health Care Initiatives?
- National Health Mission:
- The National Health Mission aimed to create community-owned and decentralised healthcare systems to make services accessible, affordable, and equitable, particularly for vulnerable groups.
- National Health Policy (2017):
- The National Health Policy (2017) laid the groundwork for transforming India’s healthcare delivery system.
- It emphasised the importance of community-based health systems, highlighting the role of trained first responders, local self-government institutions, and community organisations in improving healthcare access and disaster preparedness.
- Ayushman Bharat Scheme (2018):
- Building on NHM’s success, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (2018) marked a major leap in India’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- It integrates preventive, promotive, and curative health interventions through four major pillars:

WHO’s Global Pandemic Agreement
- The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the first Global Pandemic Agreement at its 78th World Health Assembly under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution.
- It aims to strengthen global health security and ensure equitable pandemic responses.
- Adopted on 20th May 2025, it promotes international cooperation for timely access to diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.
- It is the second global legal instrument after the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Conclusion
Four years after its launch, the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission has transformed India’s health landscape by investing in pandemic preparedness, infrastructure modernisation, and disease surveillance. PM-ABHIM serves as a cornerstone of the country’s efforts to build a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for all citizens.
Drishti Mains Question
Q. Discuss how the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) enhances India’s health resilience and complements existing national health programs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When was PM-ABHIM launched?
It was launched in October 2021 with an allocation of ₹64,180 crore for implementation during 2021–2026.
Q. What is the main objective of the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)?
To strengthen India’s public health infrastructure, improve disease surveillance, and ensure equitable access to affordable, quality healthcare at all levels.
Q. How does PM-ABHIM complement other health initiatives?
It complements the National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat by focusing on infrastructure, research, and pandemic preparedness across rural and urban areas.
Q. What are the major components under PM-ABHIM?
Key components include Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Block Public Health Units, Integrated Public Health Labs, Critical Care Blocks, and IT-enabled disease surveillance systems
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to the National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of ‘ASHA’, a trained community health worker? (2012)
- Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care checkup
- Using pregnancy test kits for early detection of pregnancy
- Providing information on nutrition and immunization.
- Conducting the delivery of baby
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. The public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest? (2015)
Indi and Puliyankudi Limes
30-10-2025
Source: PIB
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged Indi Lime (Karnataka) and Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu) to the United Kingdom.
- This shipment marks a key step in APEDA’s push to boost global recognition of India’s GI-tagged produce, benefiting farmers and strengthening market linkages.
Indi Lime (Vijayapura)
- About: The Indi Lime is the 2nd lime variety after the Assam Lime to receive the prestigious GI recognition. It got the GI tag in 2023.
- Production Hub: Grown mainly in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district, it is prized for its quality, zesty aroma, high juice yield, and culinary and medicinal value, reflecting the region’s agricultural heritage.
- Vijayapura district contributes nearly 58% of Karnataka’s total lime production. Karnataka itself ranks 4th among Indian states in lime cultivation.
Puliyankudi Lime
- About: Puliyankudi Lime (from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu), also called Kadayam variety, features thin peel, strong acidity, and high vitamin C content with about 55% juice yield.
- GI Tag: The Puliyankudi Lime received its GI tag in April 2025, recognizing its distinct nutritional and regional attributes.
World Food India 2025
30-09-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
World Food India 2025, India’s flagship food processing event, aims to position India as a ‘Global Food Hub’. The event concluded with the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs 1 lakh crore, highlighting investments, innovations, and employment generation across multiple states.
World Food India
- WFI, conceptualized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), is India’s flagship food processing event. Since its first edition in 2017, followed by the 2nd in 2023, 3rd in 2024, and now the 4th edition in 2025.
- It has grown to showcase India as the “Food Basket of the World,” promoting investment, enhancing farm-to-fork linkages, encouraging sustainable food systems, and highlighting India’s diverse food culture.

What is the Landscape of the Food Processing Sector in India?
- Food Processing: It involves methods to transform raw agricultural, animal, or fish products into edible, commercially valuable finished or semi-finished products, altering their original physical properties.
- Levels of Processing:
- Primary processing: Basic cleaning, grading, and packaging of agricultural products.
- Secondary processing: Converting ingredients into edible products (e.g., milling wheat into flour).
- Tertiary processing: Creating ready-to-eat foods (e.g., baking bread from flour).
- Growth of India’s Food Processing Industry: India is largest producer of milk, onions and pulses, Second largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, tea, fruits & vegetables and eggs.
- India’s agricultural and processed food exports reached USD 49.4 billion in 2024–25, with processed foods contributing 20.4% (up from 13.7% in 2014–15). The sector employs 2.23 million in registered units and 4.68 million in unregistered ones.
- Registered food business operators rose from 25 lakh to 64 lakh, supported by 24 mega food parks.
- Operation Greens and 225 Research and Development projects added 20 patents and 52 commercialized technologies.
- India’s Initiatives:
What are the Opportunities and Challenges in the Food Processing Sector in India?
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Opportunities
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Challenges
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- Expanding Market: The food processing sector is growing rapidly, valued at USD 336 billion in 2023 and projected to double by 2032.
- This expansion creates jobs, adds value to agriculture, and strengthens India’s GDP.
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- Infrastructure Gaps and Post-Harvest Losses: India lacks adequate cold chains, storage, and transport facilities, leading to nearly 30% food wastage and annual post-harvest losses of around Rs. 90,000 crore.
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- Urbanisation: Rising urban population and busier lifestyles are pushing demand for ready-to-eat, packaged, and convenience foods, expected to cross Rs. 12 lakh crore by 2025. This opens scope for product diversification and new brands.
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- Technology and Finance Barriers for SMEs: Small and medium enterprises struggle with high costs of modern machinery and limited access to credit.
- This reduces their productivity and weakens competitiveness against large firms.
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- Health, Wellness, and Organic Foods: Sustainability is driving demand for organic and plant-based products. The organic market is projected to reach Rs. 75,000 crore by 2025, with consumers increasingly willing to pay a premium.
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- Health, Wellness, and Organic Foods: Sustainability is driving demand for organic and plant-based products. The organic market is projected to reach Rs. 75,000 crore by 2025, with consumers increasingly willing to pay a premium.
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- Technology and Innovation: Adoption of automation, AI, robotics, and smart packaging is transforming efficiency and quality.
- The Indian food tech market is expected to touch USD 30 billion by 2024, boosting competitiveness globally.
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- Technology and Innovation: Adoption of automation, AI, robotics, and smart packaging is transforming efficiency and quality.
- The Indian food tech market is expected to touch USD 30 billion by 2024, boosting competitiveness globally.
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- MSMEs and Rural Employment: With 63 million MSMEs contributing to 30% of GDP, schemes like PMFME promote local entrepreneurship.
- This helps farmers move up the value chain and supports rural livelihoods.
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- MSMEs and Rural Employment: With 63 million MSMEs contributing to 30% of GDP, schemes like PMFME promote local entrepreneurship.
- This helps farmers move up the value chain and supports rural livelihoods.
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What Measures can Strengthen India’s Food Processing Sector?
- Cluster Development: Set up integrated food processing zones near farm hubs with shared infrastructure (cold storage, labs, effluent plants), ancillary industries (packaging, logistics), and seamless transport links to cut costs and boost rural–urban balance.
- Tech-Driven Supply Chain: Use blockchain for traceability, IoT for real-time monitoring, AI for demand forecasting, and drones/satellite imaging for crop assessment to cut wastage and improve efficiency.
- Financial Reforms: Create sector-specific credit schemes aligned with crop cycles, a credit guarantee fund for SMEs, and tax incentives to attract private equity and venture capital in food-tech.
- Quality Standards: Harmonize Indian norms with global benchmarks (Codex), introduce tiered certifications with market benefits, deploy mobile testing labs, and link quality-based pricing to National Agriculture Market (eNAM).
- Regulatory Simplification: Establish a single-window clearance and unified digital platform to cut delays and reduce compliance costs.
- Export Ecosystem: Develop export-specific zones with plug-and-play facilities, country-focused strategies, and a real-time market intelligence system; fully utilize PLISFPI funds to attract global majors.
- R&D Boost: Set up Food Innovation Labs, give weighted tax breaks for R&D, and build a national database of traditional food processing techniques for scaling up.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. The Indian food processing sector is expanding rapidly, yet its share in global processed food exports remains low. Analyse the reasons and suggest policy measures.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is World Food India (WFI) 2025?
Ans: It is MoFPI’s flagship event to project India as a Global Food Hub, attracting ₹1 lakh+ crore investments and showcasing farm-to-fork linkages.
2. Why is the food processing sector significant for India?
Ans: It ensures food security, value addition, rural employment, MSME growth, and boosts exports (USD 49.4 bn in 2024–25).
3. Which key government schemes promote food processing?
Ans: PLISFPI, PLISMBP, PMKSY, PMFME, 100% FDI in food processing, and Mega Food Parks.
4. What are the main challenges in India’s food processing industry?
Ans: Post-harvest losses (~₹90,000 crore), infrastructure gaps, credit barriers for SMEs, and low global competitiveness.
5. What measures can strengthen the sector?
Ans: Cluster-based zones, tech-driven supply chains (AI, IoT, blockchain), credit reforms, Codex-aligned quality standards, single-window clearances, and R&D boost.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”? (2011)
- To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.
- To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.
- To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. What are the challenges and opportunities of the food processing sector in the country? How can the income of the farmers be substantially increased by encouraging food processing? (2020)
Q.What are the reasons for the poor acceptance of a cost-effective small processing unit? How can the food processing unit be helpful to uplift the socioeconomic status of poor farmers? (2017)
Crowd Management in India
30-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
A campaign rally for a Tamil actor-turned-politician in Karur, Tamil Nadu turned tragic, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
What is a Stampede?
- About: A stampede is a sudden, uncontrolled rush of people or animals, usually triggered by panic, fear, or excitement, occurring in crowded areas and often causing chaos and casualties.
- Stampede Incidence: The NCRB report ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ states that from 2000 to 2022, 3,074 lives were lost in stampedes, with nearly 4,000 stampede incidents recorded over the past three decades.
- Cause of Death: A major cause of stampede deaths is the “black hole effect.” In dense crowds, physical forces create unpredictable "force chains" between bodies, so if one person falls, it creates a void, causing others to lose balance and fall.
- This domino effect leads to a pile-up, where people suffer compressive asphyxia under the weight of others.
- During a stampede, crushing pressure on the chest prevents proper lung movement, causing hypoxia (low oxygen) and hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide), both life-threatening.
What are the Key Causes and Impact of Stampedes in India?
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Causes
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Impacts
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Immediate Triggers (rumors, sudden obstructions)
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Stampedes result in sudden fatalities, severe injuries, and psychological trauma, while also generating grief and anger.
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Systemic Failures (underestimating crowd size, poor crowd control, lack of preparedness)
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These failures erode public trust in authorities, invite repeated scrutiny of safety protocols, and make it harder to implement sustainable reforms.
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Behavioral Factors (panic spread, disregard for norms, star power, political influence)
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Behavioral triggers cause uncontrolled crowd movement leading to trampling deaths, spark social unrest, and stigmatize mass gatherings or festivals.
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Poor Infrastructure (narrow paths, blocked exits, slippery floors)
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Increases the risk of falls and chain-reaction stampedes, causes critical injuries, and leads to economic losses as public participation in events declines.
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Fatal Stampede Incidence in India
- Bengaluru (2025): During the victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s, a massive crowd near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru triggered a stampede, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
- Prayagraj (2025): A deadly stampede broke out during the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, leaving several dead and injured as millions of devotees thronged for the ritual bath.
- Tirupati (2025): A tragic stampede occurred at the token issuing counter in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the multiple deaths and injuries.
- Hathras (2024): At least 121 people, mostly women and children, died in a stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh.
- Mumbai Pedestrian Bridge (2017): 22 people were killed in a stampede during rush hour.

What are the Key Recommendations of NDMA for Crowd Management?
- Pre-Event Planning: Crowd estimation and capacity planning, safe site selection and layout design, and clear route planning with unobstructed entry, exit, and movement paths are essential to prevent stampedes.
- Structural Safety: Install barriers and railings in zig-zag queues, provide for virtual queue and approximate waiting time, ensure safe entry and exit points with outward-opening wide exits, and maintain effective communication systems and mobile connectivity to manage crowds.
- On-Ground Management: Implement crowd control and segregation with barricades, manage traffic and parking safely, use real-time crowd monitoring with CCTV and analytics.
- Building Awareness: Promote public awareness of risks and safe behavior, conduct training and drills for all agencies, and provide clear detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for event management stakeholders.
- Emergency Response: Provide on-site medical aid, deploy Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) for emergencies, and establish a clear Incident Command System for swift decision-making.
Global Best Practices in Crowd Management
- Saudi Arabia: After Hajj stampede, authorities used crowd simulations, restricted entry timings, and improved route planning.
- United Kingdom: In the UK, Wembley Stadium, London has been designed with multiple exits and advanced evacuation systems to handle 90,000 people safely.
- South Korea: In response to the Halloween stampede 2022, South Korea has deployed an advanced CCTV-based AI system to monitor crowd density in real time and provide timely warnings.
- Japan: Japan has implemented timed tickets and staggered entry measures to prevent sudden crowding.

How can Stampedes be Prevented in India?
- ICT Based Management: Use AI-powered density analytics with CCTV, drone-based aerial surveillance, and mobile network & Wi-Fi heat mapping to monitor crowd size, flow, and bottlenecks in real-time for pre-emptive intervention.
- Managing Human Behavior: Use visual and sound cues to calm crowds, train staff in crowd whispering to reduce tension, and provide safe spaces and pressure-release paths for emergencies.
- Build a Culture of Safety: Launch public safe crowding campaigns with influential figures, enforce mandatory organizer certification on crowd management, and use crowd-sourced monitoring via hashtags or apps to report overcrowding.
- Strengthen Accountability Framework: Enact a Crowd Safety Act defining organizer liability, require independent safety auditors for large events, and implement a national stampede database to learn from past incidents.
Conclusion
Stampedes in India are caused by a mix of triggers, systemic failures, behavioral factors, and poor infrastructure, resulting in high human, social, and economic costs. Effective prevention requires NDMA-compliant planning, crowd management, technology use, public awareness, and accountability frameworks to safeguard lives and ensure safer mass gatherings.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Analyze the systemic and behavioral factors responsible for stampedes and suggest a multi-pronged strategy for ensuring safety at large public gatherings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a stampede?
Ans: A stampede is a sudden, uncontrolled rush of people, often triggered by panic, fear, causing compressive asphyxia, hypoxia, and multiple deaths.
What are the main causes of stampedes in India?
Ans: Stampedes arise from immediate triggers, systemic failures, behavioral factors and poor infrastructure.
What are some global best practices in crowd management?
Ans: Countries like Saudi Arabia, UK, South Korea, and Japan use crowd simulations, AI CCTV monitoring, timed tickets, staggered entry, and multiple exits for safe mass gatherings.
What strategies can India adopt to prevent stampedes?
Ans: India can implement ICT-based crowd monitoring (AI, drones, Wi-Fi heat maps), manage human behavior, build a culture of safety, and strengthen accountability through legislation.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q. Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (2020)
SC Calls for Regulating Social Media
30-08-2025
For Prelims: Supreme Court of India, Social media, Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, Section 79(1) of the IT Act, 2000, Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), Article 21.
For Mains: Regulation of Social Media in India, Impacts of Social Media on Different Sections of Society.
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Supreme Court (SC), while hearing a case against comedians for derogatory remarks, observed that social media influencers commercialise free speech, cautioning that such content can harm the dignity of vulnerable groups and urging the government to frame effective guidelines to balance free speech with societal sensitivities.
Key Observations & Recommendations of SC
- Key Observations:
- Commercialisation & Accountability: Social media influencers monetise free speech, often creating an overlap with prohibited speech. The Court cautioned that such expression cannot be used as a shield to target vulnerable groups (disabled, women, children, minorities, senior citizens).
- Humour vs. Dignity: While humour is vital, derogatory jokes and insensitive remarks perpetuate stigma, discrimination, and undermine the constitutional mandate of inclusivity by “smashing” the goal of mainstreaming disadvantaged sections.
- Clear Boundaries in Digital Space: The Court emphasised the need to delineate free speech, commercial speech, and prohibited speech, as irresponsible online remarks erode dignity, social harmony, and community trust.
- Recommendations:
- Guidelines with Consequences: Directed the Union Government (in consultation with the National Broadcasters and Digital Association) to frame regulatory guidelines for influencers/podcasters with proportionate and enforceable consequences, avoiding “empty formalities.”
- Sensitisation & Responsibility: Stressed the importance of awareness, sensitisation, and digital ethics among social media users, while ensuring accountability of violators for societal harm.
- Apology & Balance of Rights: Ordered influencers to issue unconditional apologies via their platforms, clarifying that the Court does not seek to curtail free speech but to balance liberty with dignity, protecting community rights in a diverse society.
What are the Key Regulations Governing Social Media Usage in India?
Key Legislations:
- Information Technology Act, 2000 is the principal legislation governing electronic communication and social media.
- Section 79(1) provides “safe harbour” protection to intermediaries (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram) against liability for third-party content, provided they act as neutral platforms and do not control or modify content.
- Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000 allows the Government to block online content for protecting sovereignty, security, defense, foreign relations, public order, and preventing incitement to offences.
- Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 mandates social-media platforms to ensure user safety, removal of unlawful content, and awareness on issues such as privacy, copyright, defamation, and national security.
- The 2023 Amendment to these rules obligated intermediaries to take down false or misleading content related to the Government of India. However, its enforcement has been stayed by the Supreme Court (SC), citing concerns of misuse.
Key Judicial Pronouncements:
- In Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015), SC struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000 for vagueness, reaffirming that criticism, satire, and dissent are protected under Article 19(1)(a), unless falling within reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).
- Section 66A criminalized sending offensive, false, or objectionable information via computers or electronic devices, prescribing up to 3 years’ imprisonment.
- In K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), SC recognised privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
Why is there a Need for Regulating Social Media?
- Protection of Vulnerable Groups Unregulated platforms enable derogatory content, cyberbullying, trolling, and exploitation, particularly of women, children, senior citizens, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
- Curbing Misinformation & Hate Speech: The rapid spread of fake news, deepfakes, hate campaigns, and extremist propaganda undermines social harmony, democratic discourse, and national security.
- Effective regulation can check disinformation ecosystems and maintain public order.
- Safeguarding Mental Health & Ethical Values: Features like endless scrolling, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), and curated identities drive addiction, anxiety, and depression among youth.
- Regulations can promote digital well-being, responsible design, and ethical communication standards.
- Ensuring Accountability of Influencers: With the rise of influencer marketing, users are misled into financial risks by undisclosed paid promotions and illegitimate products (e.g., betting apps). Regulation ensures transparency, disclosure norms, and consumer protection.
- Data Privacy & Security: Social media platforms collect vast user data, often without informed consent, leading to privacy violations, surveillance, and misuse for profit or political influence. Regulation is essential to uphold constitutional rights to privacy under Article 21.
- Balancing Free Speech with Responsibility: While Article 19(1)(a) protects free speech, it is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) (public order, morality, decency, security of the State). Regulation helps draw the line between legitimate free expression and harmful/derogatory content.
What are the Key Challenges in Regulating Social Media in India?
- Volume & Anonymity: The sheer volume of online content makes continuous monitoring difficult. Added to this, anonymity of users emboldens hate speech, misinformation, and harmful content, straining regulatory capacity.
- Transparency & Accountability Gaps: Social media platforms lack transparency in decision-making and accountability in content moderation policies. The absence of independent oversight raises concerns about opaque practices and arbitrariness.
- Defining Harmful Content: There is subjectivity in defining harmful content, as differing social, political, and cultural views complicate consensus. This ambiguity creates grey zones between legitimate expression and prohibited speech.
- Free Speech vs. Censorship: Any attempt to regulate risks being seen as censorship or a curtailment of free speech, especially when criteria are not clear, objective, and proportionate.
- Cross-Border Jurisdictional Issues: A large share of harmful content originates from outside India’s jurisdiction, making enforcement and regulation difficult under domestic law.
- Political Neutrality Concerns: Content moderation decisions are often accused of political bias, raising questions about platform neutrality and undermining trust in regulatory mechanisms.
What Measures Can be Taken to Improve the Credibility and Utility of Social Media in India?
- Robust Legal-Policy Framework: Update the IT Act, 2000 through the Digital India Act, ensuring platform accountability, data protection, and freedom of expression, backed by judicial oversight to avoid overreach.
- Algorithmic Transparency & Accountability: Mandate algorithm audits, transparency reports, and independent oversight bodies; encourage the use of AI-driven moderation tools to ensure neutrality and quick redressal.
- Technological & Institutional Capacity: Expand cyber forensic labs, enhance agency capacity, and integrate AI-enabled monitoring systems while safeguarding privacy and encryption standards.
- Digital Literacy & Ethical Usage: Launch nationwide digital literacy campaigns against misinformation, deepfakes, and cyberbullying; promote responsible online behavior and ethical design practices prioritizing user well-being.
- Global & Multi-Stakeholder Cooperation: Strengthen international collaboration on cross-border regulation and involve civil society, academia, and industry to create an inclusive, future-ready digital ecosystem.
Conclusion
Regulating social media is essential to balance freedom of expression with the dignity and rights of vulnerable groups. A combination of robust legal frameworks, technological solutions, digital literacy, and ethical practices can ensure accountability, curb misinformation, and foster a safe, inclusive, and credible online ecosystem.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the challenges in regulating social media platforms in India, considering the balance between freedom of expression, privacy concerns, and the need for accountability.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question:
Mains
Q. What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present? (2013)
Q. Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children. (2023)

Civil Society Organizations in India
30-08-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have once again come into focus for its role in mobilising communities, protecting rights, and filling gaps in governance. Beyond the state and markets, it drives collective action, ensures citizen participation, and strengthens democracy in India.
What is a Civil Society Organization?
- About: CSO society refers to non-state, non-profit entities that unite people voluntarily to work collectively toward shared social, cultural, or ethical goals.

- Evolution of CSOs in India:
- Ancient–Medieval Roots: Civil society in India has deep roots in the ideas of dharma (duty), daan (giving), and karma, which encouraged service to others through religious and social movements.
- Pre-Independence Era: Reformers challenged caste discrimination, untouchability, and other social evils, linking voluntary action to social reform.
- Brahmo Samaj (1828) (promoted social and religious reform), Theosophical Society (1879) (spread spiritual and educational reform), and Ramakrishna Mission (1897) (emphasized service to humanity).
- Efforts were often unorganized and relief-based, but they laid a moral foundation for later mobilization.
- Gandhi’s philosophy of self-reliance, upliftment of the poor, and constructive work inspired mass participation and voluntary service organizations.
- Post-Independence: The new Indian state expanded welfare but recognized the supporting role of voluntary organizations.
- First Five-Year Plan (1951–56) emphasized cooperation between government and NGOs.
- Decentralization through the three-tier Panchayati Raj system gave space for cooperatives, farmer unions, and local associations to flourish.
- During the 1965–67 droughts, many international NGOs entered India with foreign aid and later set up permanent offices, reshaping civil society funding.
- Contemporary Era: Civil society shifted from welfare delivery to a rights- and empowerment-based approach seen in movements like Chipko (1973) and Narmada Bachao (1985).
- Civil society broadened its agenda to include rights to food, work (MGNREGA), education (RTE Act), health, and information (RTI Act).
- CSOs recognized as development partners of the state.NGOs expanded into gender, caste, environment, and marginalized issues, becoming key watchdogs of democracy.
- India with around 3.3 million NGOs Today, India has around 1.5 million NGOs involving over 19 million volunteers and staff, though most remain small and volunteer-driven.
Regulatory Framework for Civil Society in India
- Societies: Societies Registration Act, 1860; for literary, scientific, and charitable purposes.
- Trusts: Indian Trusts Act, 1882; states also have Public Trust Acts (e.g., Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950).
- Companies: Section 8 of Indian Companies Act, 2013; for not-for-profit activities like education, social welfare, environment, etc.
- Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010: Applies to all CSOs receiving foreign contributions.
What is the Role of Civil Society in a Democracy?
- Ensuring Accountability: CSOs act as a watchdog, scrutinizing state actions and checking political abuses and corruption.
- The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Rajasthan, was instrumental in the passage of the national Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005.
- CSOs play a crucial role in monitoring elections, detecting fraud, and affirming legitimacy.
- Empowering Citizens and Promoting Democratic Norms: Educates citizens about laws, rights, and governance, sustaining an informed citizenry.
- Fosters tolerance, respect for dissent, and compromise, promoting democratic social norms.
- Provides platforms for marginalized groups (women, poor, persons with disabilities) to participate in governance, as seen in the role of CSOs advocating for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- Women Empowerment: Organizations like Jagori and Swayam have raised awareness about women’s rights and promoted political participation.
- The Institute of Social Sciences' "Women’s Political Empowerment Program" has trained over 15,000 women for leadership roles in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
- PRIDE India has supported advocacy for women's rights through research and data collection.
- SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association) empowers women in the informal sector, helping them gain economic independence and social status.
- Leadership Development and Representation: Facilitates articulation and aggregation of diverse societal interests.
- CSOs act as a training ground for future political leaders, breaking traditional party monopolies.
- CSOs act as a shock-absorbing institution by cross-cutting rigid political polarities. Helps maintain social cohesion in conflict-prone settings.
- Supporting Reforms and Public Service Delivery: Mobilizes public opinion for economic and political reforms.
- CSOs fill gaps in essential services like healthcare, education, sanitation, and disaster relief (e.g., During the Covid-19 pandemic, Goonj launched the 'Rahat' initiative to support vulnerable communities).
- Global Governance: Civil society not only promotes national democracy but also influences global governance.
- International norms on human rights, women’s rights, disability rights, and environmental concerns are leveraged to shape domestic policies.
What are the Challenges of Civil Society in a Democracy?
- Undermining Democratic Values: Not all CSOs pursue democratic purposes, some promote private interests, racism, nationalism, or fundamentalism, undermining democratic values.
- Funding Constraints CSOs face financial instability due to limited foreign funding (post-FCRA 2020 amendment) and inadequate domestic philanthropy.
- State funding can corrupt CSOs, diverting focus from democratic objectives to short-term gains.
- Additionally, many CSOs lack effective monitoring systems, making it difficult to assess their impact and attract funding.
- Inadequate Government Response: Government agencies may be ill-equipped to handle CSO inputs, resulting in friction, ineffective policymaking, and undermined democratic engagement.
- Inadequate Representation: Lack of equal access for marginalized groups in civil society can perpetuate structural inequalities and undermine democratic inclusivity.
- Cultural Insensitivity: Global civil society efforts may overlook local cultural contexts, especially in the Global South, leading to ineffective or irrelevant interventions.
- Internal Undemocracy: Many CSOs lack internal democracy, such as transparency or inclusive decision-making, contradicting the democratic principles they advocate.
- External Manipulation: Civil society organizations may be influenced or used by foreign powers to advance political or economic agendas, distorting their role in promoting democracy.
- Volunteer Retention: High volunteer turnover and inconsistent engagement make it difficult to sustain long-term projects and community relationships.
What Measures can be Adopted to Enhance the Role of CSO?
- Enhance Transparency and Accountability: Develop a national CSO database including financial reports, program outcomes, and impact assessments. Standardized reporting and voluntary third-party audits can build credibility.
- Support Evidence-Based Policymaking: Institutionalize CSO involvement in policy through representation on government committees, consultation forums, and the use of CSO data in decision-making.
- Diversify Funding Sources: Encourage domestic philanthropy, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships, and social impact investments to reduce dependency on foreign funds.
- Simplify Regulatory Framework: The government could simplify FCRA and streamline CSO registration and compliance through a single-window digital system,
- Boost Volunteerism: Launch national campaigns to promote volunteering, integrate community service into education, maintain volunteer databases, and use digital platforms to connect volunteers with CSOs.
Conclusion
Civil society remains the heartbeat of participatory democracy, bridging gaps between the state and citizens. Strengthening CSOs is not just about governance, it is about empowering society to shape its own future. A vibrant civil society is the true measure of a resilient democracy.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the evolving role of Civil Society Organizations in India and their contribution to participatory democracy.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q. Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women's effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India. (2023)
Q. How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints. (2015)
Q. Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976. (2015)
Q. Can Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative model. (2021)
Q. In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector would be most productive? (2024)

Samudrayaan Project
30-08-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
Two Indian aquanauts dived into the Atlantic Ocean aboard France’s submersible Nautile as part of preparations for the Samudrayaan Project.
What is the Samudrayaan Project?

What is the Deep Ocean Mission?
- Objective: Launched by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) for a period of 5 years (2021-26) to develop technologies for exploring and sustainably utilizing the deep ocean’s living and non-living resources
- It promotes India’s Blue Economy, covering marine industries like fishing, shipping, biotechnology, and tourism
- It supports climate change research and aligns with UN’s 2021–2030 ‘Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development’
- Mission Components:
- Deep Sea Mining & Manned Submersible: Development of submersible to reach 6,000 m and mining of polymetallic nodules. Prepares India for future commercial deep-sea exploration under International Seabed Authority rules.
- Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services: Observation and modeling of climate variables for seasonal to decadal projections, aids Blue Economy and coastal tourism.
- Deep-Sea Biodiversity: Bio-prospecting and sustainable use of deep-sea flora, fauna, and microbes.
- Deep Ocean Survey & Exploration: Identifying multi-metal hydrothermal sulphide sites along Indian Ocean ridges.
- Energy & Freshwater from Ocean: Feasibility studies for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) desalination plant, supports offshore energy development.
- Advanced Marine Station: Build talent in ocean biology and engineering; turn research into industrial products via on-site incubators.
- Progress: Under the mission, the deep-water Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000) was deployed for exploration.
- In December 2022, it surveyed mineral-rich zones at a depth of 5,271 meters in the Central Indian Ocean Basin Polymetallic Manganese Nodule (PMN) site.
- Using the research vessel SagarNidhi, the AUV OMe 6000 conducted a 14 sq. km survey to assess polymetallic nodule distribution and deep-sea biodiversity, paving the way for future exploration and resource mapping.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q: With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2022)
- A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
- Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Q: Consider the following statements: ( 2021)
- The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
- India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.
- “Rare earth minerals’ are present on the seafloor in international waters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)

CDS Released 3 Joint Doctrines for Armed Forces
30-08-2025
Source: HT
Chief of Defence Staff released 3 joint doctrines for armed forces to enhance integration, interoperability, and operational effectiveness across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains.
- Joint Doctrine for Special Forces Operations: Aims to ensure interoperability of Para Special Forces (Army), Marine Commandos (MARCOS) (Navy), and Garud Commando Force (IAF).
- Recommends Joint Service Training Institutes (JsSTIs) as Centres of Excellence.
- It focuses on advanced joint training for night operations, adverse weather missions, electronic warfare, and precision-guided munition support.
- Joint Doctrine for Airborne and Heliborne Operations: Stresses on integration of advanced technology, joint services training, and tactical synergy.
- Ensures readiness from peacetime engagements to high-intensity conflicts.
- Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) Doctrine: It covers integration across land, sea, air, space, cyber, and cognitive domains. Aims to empower decision-making and enhance battlefield responsiveness.
Chief of Defence Staff
- The CDS is the highest-ranking military officer in India, serving as the principal principal military advisor to the Defence Minister on all tri-service matters and heading the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).
- The position was created to enhance jointness and coordination among the three services – Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- CDS is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and a member of the Defence Acquisition Council.

USD 125.8 billion by 2032
30-08-2025
Source: PIB
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched Project Aarohan to support the education of children of toll plaza employees.
Project Aarohan
- About: It is a scholarship and mentorship initiative in partnership with Vertis Infrastructure Trust, implemented by SMEC Trust’s Bharat Cares, aimed at children from economically weaker sections.
- Objectives: To eliminate financial barriers, ensure equal access to quality education, and nurture talent, thereby bridging socio-economic disparities.
- Key Features: Supports 500 students from Class 11 to undergraduate level with an annual scholarship of Rs 12,000, and 50 postgraduate students with Rs 50,000 each.
- It provides mentorship, skill development, and career guidance.
- It gives priority to girls, first-generation learners, and students from economically weaker sections (EWS), SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities.
- Significance:
- Promotes Educational Equity: Provides financial support and mentorship to children of toll plaza employees from EWS, ensuring access to quality education.
- Fosters Inclusive Growth: Prioritizes girls, first-generation learners, and students from marginalized communities (SC, ST, OBC, minorities), helping bridge socio-economic disparities.
- Develops Human Capital: Enhances career opportunities, skill development, talent nurturing, employment & entrepreneurship, contributing to nation-building.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- NHAI was established under the NHAI Act, 1988 to oversee the development, maintenance, and management of national highways.
- National highways span 132,499 km, carrying 40% of India’s road traffic while accounting for only 2% of the road network.

International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem
30-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem (26th July) serves as a crucial reminder that these coastal guardians are vanishing 3-5 times faster than global forests.
- UNESCO and IUCN data reveals that global mangrove cover has halved since 1985, with 50% of remaining ecosystems now at risk of collapse.
- The Tamil Nadu Forest Department held an awareness camp, highlighting mangrove biodiversity and the Fish Bone Channel Technique for ecological restoration.
International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
- Observed annually on 26th July, this day aims to raise awareness about the significance of mangrove ecosystems as unique, special, and vulnerable ecosystems, and to promote their sustainable management, conservation, and use.
- It was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in 2015 to highlight the vital ecological and socio-economic roles mangroves play in coastal protection, biodiversity support, and climate mitigation.
Fishbone Technique of Mangrove Restoration
- It is a mangrove restoration method for areas with poor tidal flow, involving a central "backbone" channel and angled feeder channels to divert water from creeks.
- Once salinity and water flow are suitable, mangrove seedlings are planted. It mimics natural creeks, enhances tidal reach, and supports natural regeneration with minimal effort.
What are Mangroves?
- About: Mangroves are specialized coastal ecosystems consisting of salt-tolerant (halophytic) trees and shrubs that flourish in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical regions.
- They are uniquely adapted to survive in saline, low-oxygen (anaerobic) environments with slow-moving waters and accumulated fine sediments.
- Common mangrove species include Red Mangrove, Grey Mangrove, and Rhizophora, which play a crucial role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation.
- Mangrove Cover in India: As per Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India's mangrove cover is about 4,992 sq. km, accounting for 0.15% of the country’s geographical area.
- West Bengal has the largest mangrove cover in India, followed by Gujarat in second place.


What is the Significance of Mangroves?
- Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves store around 394 tonnes of carbon per hectare, exceeding most terrestrial forests, due to anaerobic and saline soils that slow decomposition.
- According to UNESCO, 1 hectare can store up to 3,754 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to removing over 2,650 cars annually.
- They uniquely lock carbon in soil for millennia, making them critical for climate change mitigation.
- Coastal Protection: Mangroves serve as natural buffers against storm surges, tsunamis, and coastal erosion acting as "bio-shields".
- Their dense root systems absorb wave energy and stabilize shorelines, reducing wave energy by 5–35% and flood depths by 15–20%, with reductions exceeding 70% during extreme storms (100-year return period), playing a crucial role in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience of coastal regions.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Mangroves support diverse terrestrial and aquatic species across habitats like mudflats and aerial roots.
- India’s mangroves host 5,746 species (84% animals) across 21 phyla, the highest globally, including Bengal tigers, estuarine crocodiles, Indian pythons, and 260+ bird species.
- They serve as nurseries for marine life and support one-third of wild fish landings in Southeast Asia.
- Economic Significance, Food Security & Livelihood Support: Mangroves are vital to coastal economies, supporting fishing, honey collection, boating, and non-timber forest produce.
- They nurture nearly 800 billion aquatic species annually, providing nutrient-rich seafood (rich in protein, omega-3s, vitamins D & B12, iron, and zinc) and sustaining livelihoods through the blue economy.
- Mangroves also offer eco-tourism potential and play a key role in food security and human wellbeing in coastal regions.

Sundarbans: Ecological Significance, Threats & Conservation Efforts
- The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, holds immense ecological value as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar site.
- It is a biodiversity hotspot, home to Royal Bengal Tiger, Irrawaddy and Ganges dolphins, saltwater crocodiles and crucial for coastal protection against cyclones and carbon sequestration.
- However, it faces severe threats from climate change (sea-level rise, cyclones), coastal erosion, and unsustainable livelihoods.
- Conservation efforts include increased government funding for mangrove plantations, Indo-Bangladesh climate-smart village initiatives, and community-led Joint Mangrove Management for sustainable preservation.
What are the Major Threats to Mangroves?
- Land Conversion for Agriculture: According to the "State of the World's Mangroves 2024" report, extensive conversion of mangrove land for aquaculture (26%), oil palm plantations, and rice cultivation (43%) is a major driver of loss.
- Urbanisation, infrastructure projects, and coastal tourism also lead to large-scale deforestation and fragmentation of mangrove ecosystems.
- Pollution & Industrial Activities: Oil spills, industrial effluents, and plastic waste degrade water quality and hinder mangrove regeneration.
- Cases like the Niger Delta highlight how oil contamination leads to long-term ecological damage. Timber extraction and charcoal production also contribute to degradation.
- Climate Change & Sea-Level Rise: Rising sea levels, increased frequency of cyclones, and coastal erosion due to climate change pose existential threats. As per the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, climate change threatens 33% of mangrove ecosystems.
- Invasive Species & Biodiversity Loss: Species like Prosopis juliflora, found in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, disrupt native mangrove habitats by altering soil salinity, reducing freshwater availability, and preventing natural regeneration, thereby threatening local biodiversity.

Key Initiatives Related to Mangroves Conservation
Way Forward
- Strengthen Legal Framework: Enforce stricter laws to prevent deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable coastal development.
- Community Participation: Involve local communities through sustainable livelihoods and initiatives like “adopt a mangrove” for conservation and restoration.
- Research & Technology: Promote phytoremediation, medicinal research, and use of drones and AI for real-time monitoring and protection.
- Bio-Restoration: Rehabilitate degraded areas using bio-restoration and ensure species diversity to build climate resilience.
- Sustainable Development: Encourage eco-friendly coastal infrastructure, regulate aquaculture, and integrate mangroves into urban planning.
- International Collaboration: Leverage global platforms like the Ramsar Convention and Blue Carbon Initiative for coordinated conservation efforts.
World Nature Conservation Day (28th July)
- Celebrated annually, World Nature Conservation Day underscores the critical need for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.
- It reinforces commitments under international environmental frameworks such as the UNFCCC, CBD, and SDGs (especially Goals 13, 14, and 15).
- The observance complements India’s LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, advocating sustainable habits like water conservation, waste reduction, and eco-friendly mobility.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the ecological and economic significance of mangroves in the Indian context. Propose a comprehensive strategy for their conservation and sustainable utilisation.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest? (2015)
(a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
(b) South-West Bengal
(c) Southern Saurashtra
(d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Ans: (d)
Mains:
Q. Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (2019)
CRISPR Technology for Climate-Resilient Crops
30-06-2025
Source: PIB
Scientists from the Bose Institute, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a novel CR-9ISPR-dCas9-based molecular tool that enhances plant resistance to heat stress and pathogen attacks.
CRISPR-dCas9-Based Molecular Tool
- CRISPR-dCas9: It is a modified version of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool. In this version, the Cas9 protein is made inactive, meaning it can no longer cut DNA. However, it still uses a guide RNA (gRNA) to find and attach to specific DNA sequences.
- While regular CRISPR-Cas9 works by cutting DNA to make changes in the gene, CRISPR-dCas9 does not cut the DNA. Instead, it acts like a gene switch by turning specific genes on or off without changing the DNA itself.
- This makes it useful for safely controlling when certain genes, like stress-response genes in plants, are activated, only when needed, saving energy and improving efficiency.
- Working Mechanism: Plants often face stress due to extreme weather or pathogen attacks, which reduces their productivity and growth.
- CRISPR-dCas9 helps plants respond only when under stress using a transmembrane (TM) domain from a tomato protein (NACMTF3) to keep a modified protein, dCas9, outside the nucleus under normal conditions.
- During stress (like heat or pathogen attack), the TM domain releases dCas9, which then enters the nucleus and activates specific defense genes.
- Under pathogen attack (e.g., Pseudomonas syringae), it activates CBP60g and SARD1 immune response genes, boosting immune responses, and under heat stress, it activates NAC2 and HSFA6b, improving water retention, leaf greenness, and thermotolerance.
- Application: Tested on tomato, potato, and tobacco, it showed the highest effectiveness in tomato plants.

Tech-Driven Multilingual Inclusion in India
29-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India is advancing toward digital multilingual inclusion by leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and machine learning.
- Platforms like Bhashini, BharatGen, and Adi-Vaani are being used to preserve, digitize, and promote the use of 22 Scheduled Languages and hundreds of tribal and regional dialects across India’s vast geography in governance, education, and communication.
How is India Integrating Technology with Language Preservation and Digital Inclusion?
- Bhashini: Implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM).
- It provides real-time Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven translation, speech recognition, and language understanding services.
- Supports 22 Scheduled Languages and several tribal languages, enabling multilingual access in governance, education, and digital communication.

- Sanchika: Managed by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).
- Sanchika serves as a digital archive of dictionaries, primers, storybooks, and audiovisual content in Indian languages.
- BharatGen: It is a multilingual AI model suite for Indian languages developed under MeitY.
- Adi-Vaani: Launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA). It is India’s first AI-driven platform for tribal language translation and preservation.
- It supports Santali, Bhili, Mundari, Gondi, and other tribal languages through Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Speech Recognition.
- GeMAI (Government e-Marketplace AI Assistant): Developed under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as part of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
- Provides voice and text-based support in multiple Indian languages.
- Assists small vendors and local entrepreneurs to navigate and transact in their native languages.
- Anuvadini: Created by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
- Uses AI-based translation to convert engineering, law, and medical textbooks into Indian languages.
- It supports the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of learning in the mother tongue.
- e-KUMBH (Knowledge Unleashed in Multiple Bharatiya Languages): An AICTE-hosted digital platform offering free access to technical and higher education books in Indian languages.
- SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds): A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform of the Ministry of Education (MoE).
- SWAYAM provides multilingual online courses to more than five crore learners across India. It strengthens linguistic inclusivity in digital higher education.

What are the National and Institutional Initiatives Supporting Language Preservation and Digital Inclusion?
- SPPEL (Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages): Launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and implemented by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru.
- Documents and digitally archives languages spoken by fewer than 10,000 people.
- Creates text, audio, and video corpora to support AI and NLP-based research on endangered languages.
- TRI-ECE (Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events) Scheme: Implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
- Promotes AI-based translation tools for converting English and Hindi text and speech into tribal languages and vice versa.
- Collaborates with Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) to ensure cultural sensitivity and community participation.
- NTM (National Translation Mission): A flagship program of the Ministry of Education (MoE).
- NTM aims to translate knowledge and academic texts into Indian languages to democratize education and research.
- NMM (National Mission on Manuscripts): Run by the Ministry of Culture (MoC).
- NMM works on preservation, digitization, and dissemination of ancient Indian manuscripts in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and regional languages.
What is the Broader Impact of Technology-Led Multilingual Platforms?
- Governance and Public Service Delivery: Multilingual AI platforms like Bhashini and GeMAI enable citizens to access government services, information, and digital portals in their own languages.
- This enhances transparency, participation, and trust in governance, especially for people in rural and non-Hindi-speaking regions.
- Education and Skill Development: Platforms such as e-KUMBH, Anuvadini, and SWAYAM democratize learning by providing textbooks, technical content, and online courses in regional languages.
- This supports the NEP 2020 vision of learning in the mother tongue, improves comprehension, and helps bridge the digital education divide.
- Cultural and Linguistic Preservation: Initiatives like SPPEL, Sanchika, and Adi-Vaani digitally document endangered and tribal languages, keeping oral traditions, stories, and knowledge systems alive.
- They ensure that linguistic heritage evolves with technology rather than disappearing in its shadow.
- Economic and Social Inclusion: Language-inclusive digital platforms help local entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses interact with government schemes, e-commerce, and financial services more easily.
- This reduces information barriers and fosters equitable participation in the digital economy.
- Research and Innovation: The large multilingual datasets created through these initiatives strengthen India’s AI research ecosystem and encourage the development of indigenous language technologies.
Conclusion
India’s language preservation efforts are driven by cutting-edge technologies to keep its linguistic heritage vibrant and accessible. Platforms like Bhashini, and BharatGen safeguard cultural diversity while driving inclusive digital growth and global leadership in multilingual innovation.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Examine the role of technology in preserving India’s endangered and tribal languages.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Bhashini?
Bhashini is an AI-driven multilingual translation platform under the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM), implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
2. Which platform focuses on AI-based preservation of tribal languages?
Adi-Vaani, launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is India’s first AI-driven platform for real-time translation and preservation of tribal languages like Santali, Bhili, and Gondi.
3. What is the role of BharatGen in India’s multilingual ecosystem?
BharatGen develops text-to-text and text-to-speech AI translation models for 22 Scheduled Languages, enhancing accessibility in governance, education, and healthcare.
4. How do initiatives like Anuvadini and e-KUMBH support NEP 2020?
Anuvadini translates technical books into Indian languages, while e-KUMBH provides free multilingual access to educational materials—supporting NEP 2020’s goal of education in the mother tongue.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2021)
1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Q. Consider the following languages: (2014)
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Telugu
Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language/Languages’ by the Government?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
United Nations Convention against Cybercrime
29-10-2025
Source:IE
Why in News?
The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (UNCC), the world’s first global framework to tackle cybercrime, moved closer to becoming legally binding after 72 of 193 UN member states signed the treaty.
Note: The Convention was opened for signature in Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2025, where 72 countries signed it during the high-level conference. It will enter into force 90 days after 40 countries ratify or accede to it.
What is the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (UNCC)?
- About: The UNCC officially called the Convention on Cybercrime: Strengthening International Cooperation to Combat Crimes Committed Through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Systems, is the first international criminal justice treaty to have been negotiated in over 20 years.
- Key Provisions: UNCC provides legal measures to address crimes committed via ICT systems.
- It facilitates cross-border sharing of electronic evidence in serious crimes crimes such as illegal data interception, hacking, money laundering, and online child sexual abuse material.
- The convention promotes capacity building and technical assistance for developing nations.
- UNCC also includes human rights protections while enabling digital law enforcement.
- Implementation Mechanism: UNCC establishes a Conference of the States Parties to monitor and review implementation.
- UNODC serves as the secretariat for the Convention, providing technical support, training, and assistance for national implementation, along with guidance through its Global Programme on Cybercrime.
- States that did not sign may later accede by depositing an instrument of accession.
- India and UNCC: India has not signed the UNCC as of October 2025, despite being an active participant in its drafting.
- Earlier India also declined to sign the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, consistent with its approach of wanting a greater role in shaping global digital frameworks.
What is Cybercrime and Cybersecurity?
Cybercrime
- About: It refers to criminal activities that use or target digital technologies, networks, or devices.
- Perpetrators range from individual hackers to organized criminal networks, exploiting the anonymity and reach of the internet.
- These crimes transcend borders and can affect national security, financial systems, and personal safety.
- Developing countries are especially vulnerable due to weak cybersecurity infrastructure and low awareness.
- Emerging technologies like AI, deepfakes, and generative tools have created new risks around misinformation, privacy, and copyright infringement.
- Categories:
- Cyber-enabled Crimes: Traditional crimes conducted online, such as fraud, trafficking, hate speech, and incitement to violence.
- Cyber-dependent Crimes: Crimes that can occur only through ICT systems, including phishing, identity theft, malware attacks, and ransomware.
- Cybercrime Threat in India: Cybercrime cases rose by 31.2% in 2023, reaching 86,420 cases, up from 65,893 in 2022 (National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023). Karnataka recorded the highest number of cases.
- Major cybercrimes include Fraud, Extortion, and Sexual exploitation.
- India also faces cross-border scams from Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
- Between January and May 2025, Indians lost over Rs 4,800 crore to foreign-based cyber frauds.
Cybersecurity
- About: Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft. It acts as a digital fortress, defending individuals and organizations against online attacks.
- It includes strategies, policies, and technologies aimed at identifying and assessing threats, preventing and detecting cyberattacks, and mitigating harm while ensuring quick recovery from incidents.
- A strong cybersecurity framework helps maintain privacy, trust, and data integrity in an increasingly interconnected world.

What are the Challenges and Opportunities for India Under the UN Cybercrime Convention?
Challenges
- Privacy Concerns: The Convention’s surveillance provisions may conflict with India’s constitutional right to privacy as highlighted in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, 2017.
- Data Sovereignty Issues: India opposition to data-sharing without prior written consent from the originating country may clash with the treaty’s cross-border data-sharing clauses.
- Strategic Caution: India’s hesitation to sign the treaty protects autonomy but risks limiting its influence in future digital rule-making.
Opportunities
- Stronger Global Cooperation: Enables India to work more closely with other countries on cybercrime investigations and evidence-sharing.
- Capacity Building Support: Offers access to UN-led training and technical aid to strengthen national cybercrime units.
- Policy Alignment: Could push India to update its National Cybersecurity Strategy and modernize data protection and cyber laws.
Conclusion
The UN Cybercrime Treaty marks a major step in global cybersecurity governance, aiming to ensure no country is left defenceless against cybercrime but it also raises critical questions about privacy, human rights, and digital sovereignty.
For India, the challenge lies in adopting a framework that strengthens cyber resilience without compromising individual freedoms.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Examine the objectives and key provisions of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (UNCC).
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the UN Cybercrime Convention (UNCC)?
The UNCC is the first global treaty on cybercrime, adopted by the UNGA in December 2024 to harmonise laws, enable cross-border electronic evidence sharing, and strengthen cooperation and capacity building.
- Has India signed the UNCC?
No, as of October 2025 India did not sign the treaty, citing privacy, data sovereignty and governance concerns despite having participated in drafting.
- What are the main cyber threats facing India today?
Rising cybercrime — including fraud, extortion and sexual exploitation — with a 31.2% increase in cases in 2023 (NCRB), plus large cross-border financial frauds costing billions of rupees.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q.1 In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (2020)
- Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer
- Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so
- Cost of hiring a specialised consultant to minimise the loss in case of cyber extortion
- Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (b)
Q.2 In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (2017)
- Service providers
- Data centres
- Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)
Vaquita Porpoise
29-08-2025
Source: DTE
A new report has highlighted that only about 10 vaquita porpoise, the world’s rarest marine mammal, remain in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.
- Their numbers have plummeted due to entanglement in illegal gillnets used for catching totoaba (an endangered fish prized for its swim bladder).
Vaquita Porpoise (Phocoena sinus)
- About: The vaquita porpoise (little cow in Spanish), is the world’s most endangered marine mammal discovered in 1958.
- Porpoises are the smallest members of the cetacean family (whales, dolphins, porpoises) and are distant relatives of dolphins, diverging around 15 million years ago.
- Habitat: Marine, restricted to the northern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, mostly in shallow waters up to 50 m deep.
- Physical Characteristics: Vaquitas have dark rings around the eyes, dark patches on lips stretching to the fins. Newborns are darker with a gray fringe.
- Their large dorsal fin helps release body heat in warm waters.
- Behavior: Shy and usually stay near the shore. They avoid boats and are mostly solitary or in very small groups, unlike other cetaceans that travel in large pods.
- Threats: Bycatch in illegal gillnets set for the vulnerable totoaba fish.
- Protection Status:

UN Charts New Path for Global AI Governance
29-08-2025
Source: DTE
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has launched the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, marking a key step to harness AI benefits while managing its risks.
- Global Dialogue on AI Governance: It will provide an inclusive platform within the United Nations for states and stakeholders to discuss the critical issues concerning AI facing humanity today.
- Independent International Scientific Panel on AI: It acts as a bridge between AI research and policymaking. Provides rigorous, independent scientific assessments to anticipate challenges and guide global AI regulation.
- It will present its annual reports at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in 2026 (Geneva) and 2027 (New York).
AI Governance in India
- India currently lacks a dedicated AI law. It is regulated through existing frameworks like the Information Technology Act of 2000 (cybercrimes, intermediary liability), Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (data privacy), and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws (AI-generated works).
- NITI Aayog’s National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, 2018 guides AI Research and Development in healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and mobility, while its Principles for Responsible AI (2021) address ethical AI deployment.
- India is active in global AI forums. It hosted the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in 2023, co-chaired the AI Action Summit with France in 2025, and will host the AI Impact Summit in 2026.
2nd International Bharat 6G Symposium
28-10-2025
Source:PIB
Why in News?
At the India Mobile Congress(IMC) 2025, India highlighted its growing leadership in next-generation telecom through the 2nd International Bharat 6G Symposium, marking a key step towards building a self-reliant, innovative, and globally connected 6G ecosystem for Viksit Bharat 2047.
What are the Key Outcomes of 2nd International Bharat 6G Symposium at IMC 2025?
- New Delhi Declaration on 6G: At the Symposium, global research alliances including Bharat 6G, 6G-IA (European organization), ATIS’ Next G Alliance (North American organization), and others issued a Joint Declaration to shape 6G as a global public good.
- The declaration outlines five core principles for 6G networks that are trusted and secure, resilient and reliable, open and interoperable, inclusive and affordable, and sustainable and globally connected.
- The declaration also calls for skills development and global collaboration to build a future-ready, inclusive 6G ecosystem aligned with India’s 6G Vision 2030.
- Economic Vision: The symposium highlighted India’s 6G roadmap aiming for USD 1.2 trillion GDP impact by 2035 and 10% of global 6G patents, along with a threefold growth in satellite communications by 2033.
- Focus on Collaboration and Inclusivity: The symposium urged stronger global collaboration, indigenous R&D, and industry- academia synergy to build an inclusive 6G framework.
- It highlighted India’s shift from a technology consumer to a co-creator and global leader, backed by milestones like the rollout of one lakh indigenous 4G towers.

What is Bharat 6G Vision?
- Bharat 6G Vision: Launched in 2023, Bharat 6G Vision aims to position India as a global leader and co-creator in next-generation wireless communication.
- It aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 goals, focusing on affordability, sustainability, and universal access by 2030.
- Features of the Vision:
- Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA): An industry-led, government-facilitated body uniting telecom operators, academia, startups, and R&D institutions.
- It focuses on domains like spectrum, technology, sustainability, applications, and use cases.
- Bharat 6G Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding with global alliances including Next G Alliance (USA), 6G-IA (Europe), 6G Forum (South Korea), 6G Flagship (Finland), 6G Brazil, and others to collaborate on research and global standards.
- As of July 2025, the alliance comprises over 80 member organizations.
- It is also working with Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI) and National Association of Software and Services Companies(NASSCOM) to leverage national expertise and ensure resilient, trusted supply chains.
- Bharat 6G Mission:Aims to make India a global co-creator and leader in 6G technologies by 2030.
- Focuses on indigenous innovation, capacity building, and skills development.
- Emphasizes sustainability, security, and inclusivity in telecom development.
- Seeks to ensure that 6G innovation originates in India and benefits both national and global communities.

- Infrastructure: The government funded two advanced testbeds, the 6G THz Testbed and the Advanced Optical Communication Testbed to promote research and innovation in next-generation telecom technologies.
- It also sanctioned 100 5G labs across academic institutions in FY 2023–24 to build a 6G-ready academic and startup ecosystem, and approved 104 research proposals on 6G network systems.
- India’s Initiatives for 6G Ecosystem:
- Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF): Launched in 2022 to fund R&D in 5G and 6G technologies.
- TTDF supports domestic companies, startups, and academic institutions developing telecom products for affordable rural connectivity.
- As of September 2025, 115 projects worth Rs 310.6 crore have been approved, with durations of 1–5 years.
- Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIIT Bangalor: Set up under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), to pioneer Advanced Communication Systems for 5G+ and 6G.
6G (Sixth-Generation)
- It is the successor to 5G cellular technology. 6G will use higher radio frequencies to deliver data with near-zero delay, enabling speeds up to 1,000 times faster than 5G.
- The 6G Technology has been named ‘International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 2030’ by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the specialised agency for Information and Communication Technologies of the United Nations.
- 6G will power real-time applications like remote surgery, smart robotics, and immersive virtual experiences, while AI integration will make networks smarter, faster, and more efficient.

What are the Challenges Related to 6G Implementation in India?
- Infrastructure Readiness: India’s current 5G rollout is still expanding, and the shift to 6G will demand dense fiber networks, advanced semiconductors, and indigenous hardware, areas where domestic capability is still limited.
- Limited R&D Ecosystem: Despite initiatives like the Bharat 6G Mission, India’s research output, patents, and private investment in frontier telecom technologies remain modest compared to global leaders like China and US.
- Spectrum and Standards Gap: The allocation and regulation of terahertz (THz) bands for 6G are still evolving globally, leaving India with uncertainty in planning its 6G roadmap.
- Talent and Skill Shortage: There’s a shortage of trained professionals in AI, photonics, and network engineering needed for indigenous 6G innovation.
- Affordability and Digital Divide: High deployment costs could widen the gap between urban and rural connectivity if not supported by inclusive policies.
- Security and Privacy Risks: With ultra-fast data transfer and massive device connectivity, ensuring cybersecurity and data protection becomes more complex.
What Steps are Needed to Ensure Successful Implementation of India’s 6G Vision?
- Promote Indigenous Manufacturing: Integrate 6G components under Production Linked Initiative (PLI) Schemes for telecom, semiconductors, and electronics to reduce import dependency and enhance domestic production.
- Skill Development and Human Capital: Expand 5G Labs in academic institutions to create a 6G-ready talent pool and promote interdisciplinary courses in AI, IoT, photonics, and network engineering.
- Spectrum Policy and Regulation: Formulate a forward-looking National Spectrum Strategy for THz frequencies and encourage global harmonization through participation in ITU and global standard-setting bodies.
- Inclusive Access and Affordability: Align 6G rollout with Digital India and BharatNet to ensure equitable access in rural and remote regions, avoiding a new digital divide.
Conclusion
India’s 6G journey reflects its shift from a technology adopter to a global innovator. With initiatives like the Bharat 6G Alliance, and strong global partnerships, the country is building a secure, inclusive, and future-ready telecom ecosystem paving the way for a self-reliant and digitally empowered Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. India’s 6G Vision aims to position the country as a global co-creator in next-generation telecom. Discuss.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Bharat 6G Vision 2030?
Launched in 2023, it aims to make India a global leader and co-creator in 6G, focusing on affordability, sustainability, and universal access by 2030.
2. What is the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)?
Launched in 2022, TTDF funds R&D and indigenous innovation in 5G and 6G technologies to boost rural connectivity and domestic manufacturing.
3. What is the Bharat 6G Alliance?
An industry-led and government-facilitated body uniting telecom operators, academia, startups, and R&D institutions to drive indigenous innovation and develop global 6G standards.
4. What is IMT-2030?
It is the official name for 6G technology designated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency for ICT standards.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Which of the following is/are the aims/aims of the “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)
- Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
- Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centers within our national geographical boundaries.
- Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centers.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Reclassification of CPSEs
28-10-2025
Source: ET
Why in News?
The Government is planning to revise the classification and performance assessment criteria for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) by introducing two new ‘Ratna’ categories in addition to the existing Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna statuses.
- The Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises grants Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna status to CPSEs based on their financial performance.
What are the Key Aspects of the CPSEs’ Reclassification?
- New Evaluation Parameters: New evaluation parameters under discussion include corporate governance, succession planning and leadership development, capital expenditure, dividend payout, sustainable business practices, and alignment with Vision 2047.
- Re-evaluation Committee: A 10-member committee led by Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan is conducting the re-evaluation, with its report due before the Union Budget 2026–27.
- Objective of Revision: It aims to modernize the public sector and align it with India’s national economic strategy by developing next-gen CPSEs capable of global competitiveness.
- It focuses on accountability, performance-driven governance, efficiency, and strategic resource alignment toward sectors vital for India’s future economic security.
- Current Ratna Categories: India currently has 14 Maharatna, 26 Navratna, and 74 Miniratna firms. The status enables financial and operational independence in capital spending, joint ventures, and investments.
What are CPSEs?
- About: A Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) is a company, majority-owned and controlled by the Government of India, with at least 51% of its shares held by the Central Government, either directly or indirectly through other CPSEs.
- This definition also extends to include the subsidiary companies of such enterprises.
- Formation: It is an entity that was either incorporated under Indian company law (like the Companies Act, 2013) or established by a specific Act of Parliament.
- Current Classification of CPSEs:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a CPSE?
A Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) is a company with ≥51% government ownership, incorporated under company law or an Act of Parliament, including its subsidiaries.
2. Who is re-evaluating CPSE classification?
A 10-member committee headed by Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan is reviewing CPSE classification and will submit its report before the Union Budget 2026–27.
3. How does the proposed new 'Ratna' differentiation differ from the existing one?
Unlike the existing categories that depend on financial size and turnover, the new tiers will recognize CPSEs based on their strategic importance to national economic goals in critical sectors.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)
1. It is a Public Limited Government Company.
2. It is a Non-Banking Financial Company.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025
28-10-2025
Source: PIB
The Government of India has announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025, the nation’s highest recognition for outstanding contributions in diverse fields of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.
- Prominent Awardees of 2025: Vigyan Ratna (Posthumous)-Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar – noted astrophysicist.
- Known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, an alternative to Einstein's general relativity that supports the steady-state model of the universe.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
- About: The award has been instituted by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- It aims to inspire excellence in Indian science and technology, promote innovation, and acknowledge achievements that contribute to national development.
- Disciplinary Coverage: It covers 13 fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Agriculture, Environment, Atomic Energy, Space, etc.
- Categories of Awards: The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is conferred under four categories:
-
Vigyan Ratna (VR): Lifetime achievement recognition.
-
Vigyan Shri (VS): Distinguished contributions.
-
Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY–SSB): For scientists below 45 years.
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Vigyan Team (VT): For exceptional collaborative work.
Google’s AI C2S-Scale
28-10-2025
Source: IE
Google DeepMind’s AI model Cell2Sentence-Scale 27B (C2S-Scale) produced a new, lab-confirmed hypothesis on cancer cell behavior, marking a breakthrough in AI-driven drug discovery and biological research.
C2S-Scale Model
- About: C2S-Scale is a large language model (LLM) built on Google's Gemma-2 architecture, trained to understand gene expression as a language.
- With 27 billion parameters, the model can capture subtle relationships among genes, cells, and tissues, reflecting AI “scaling laws”—where larger models gain emergent abilities that smaller models lack.
- Working: It translates single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and interprets biological functions as ‘cell sentences’, learning patterns from millions of cells to understand cellular functions.
- Breakthrough: The AI hypothesized that the drug silmitasertib could act as a conditional amplifier, making cancer cells more visible to the immune system only in the presence of low interferon.
- Significance: C2S-Scale enables in-silico (computer-based) screening at unmatched speed and scale, accelerating scientific discovery.

Google DeepMind
- About: It is an Alphabet-owned AI research lab dedicated to achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and applying it to solve complex challenges in science, healthcare, and climate change.
- Achievements: Its notable breakthroughs include AlphaFold for protein structure prediction, AlphaGo for strategic reasoning, and the Gemini large language models.
Women-Led Economic Growth for Viksit Bharat 2047
28-08-2025
Source:PIB
Why in News?
India’s growth story is shifting, with women driving economic rise through higher workforce participation, entrepreneurship, and access to finance. Empowering them is now central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
How Women are Powering India’s Economic Transformation?
- Workforce Participation: India’s female workforce participation rose from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, while unemployment fell from 5.6% to 3.2%.
- Rural female employment grew by 96%, and urban by 43%, showing strong gains in opportunities for women.
- Female graduate employability rose from 42% in 2013 to 47.53% in 2024, while women with postgraduate and above saw Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increase from 34.5% in 2017-18 to 40% in 2023-24.
- In the past seven years, 1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce, while 16.69 crore women unorganized workers registered on e-Shram, gaining access to government welfare schemes.
- Women Development to Women – Led Development: Gender budgets rose 429% over a decade, from Rs 0.85 lakh crore (2013-14) to Rs 4.49 lakh crore (2025-26), signaling a shift to women-led development.
- Programs like Startup India have boosted women’s entrepreneurship, with 50% of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) startups having at least one woman director. Around two crore women are now Lakhpati Didis, supported by initiatives like Namo Drone Didi.
- Women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nearly doubled from 1 crore (2010-11) to 1.92 crore (2023-24) and generating 89 lakh additional jobs for women (FY21–FY23).
- This marks a decisive move from development for women to development by women.
- Financial inclusion schemes are pivotal, with women receiving 68% of MUDRA loans ( worth Rs 14.72 lakh crore) and accounting for 44% of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries among street vendors.
Why is Women-Led Development Significant?
- Women as Leaders: Shifts women from welfare recipients to agents of change.
- Gender Equality: Reduces stereotypes and generational inequality, which is crucial as India ranked 131st out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025.
- Economic Growth: Bridging the gender gap in employment could potentially lead to a 30% increase in India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Inclusive Development: Inclusion of women boosts productivity, innovation, and decision-making.
- Empowering women gives them autonomy, access to opportunities, and influence over personal, professional, and societal decisions, driving meaningful economic and social change.
What are the Challenges to Women-Led Development in India?
- Social and Safety Constraints: Deep-rooted patriarchy limits decision-making and increases unpaid domestic work.
- Early marriage, domestic responsibilities, and threats to personal security (as India records 51 cases of crime against women every hour). curtail mobility, career progression, and active participation in society.
- Education and Skill Gaps: Female literacy is 65.4% (2011 census), below the global average, restricting opportunities.
- Underrepresentation in Governance & Leadership: Women remain underrepresented in political, corporate, and institutional decision-making, reducing their influence on policies affecting them.
- India's women's representation in the Parliament remains well below the global average of 25%.
- Digital and Technological Exclusion: Limited access to technology, internet, and digital literacy prevents women from participating fully in the modern economy.
- Workforce Participation Barriers: Women face unequal pay, glass ceiling effects, occupational segregation, safety at workplace and limited representation in formal and high-skilled sectors.
What Measures can India Adopt to Further Mainstream Women in Economic Growth?
- Childcare & Care Economy: Establish a National Crèche Grid, workplace crèches, professionalise care workers, and extend paid maternity leave to informal sectors to enable workforce retention.
- Infrastructure & Digital Inclusion: Mandate gender-responsive budgeting in sanitation, transport, water, housing. Embed Digital Saksharta and PMGDISHA into national infrastructure and rural internet projects to boost women’s digital empowerment.
- Representation & Governance: Enforce gender quotas in boards, panchayats, MSME councils; build capacity in gender budgeting; link incentives to women’s inclusion.
- Decentralised Gender Planning: Institutionalize Gender Action Plans at the Gram Panchayat, block, and district levels, incorporating input from Mahila Sabhas and SHG networks. Ensure these plans are co-created with women and integrated into annual development planning and financing.
- Workplace Safety and Empowering Women's Mobility: Create women-friendly infrastructure with accessible spaces and establish Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 to address harassment.
- Foster a zero-tolerance culture and address cultural and structural violence through education, empowerment, and policy reforms for an equitable and safe environment.
Conclusion
Women are becoming the backbone of India’s economy, driving change from rural enterprises to corporate leadership, as Jawaharlal Nehru once said, “The status of a nation can be judged by the condition of its women,” India is progressing toward Viksit Bharat 2047, embodying Nari Shakti.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Critically examine the role of women-led enterprises and workforce participation in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q.1 “Empowering women is the key to control population growth”. Discuss. (2019)
Q.2 Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India? (2015)
Q.3 Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organizations free from gender bias. Comment. (2013)
Project 17A: INS Himgiri & INS Udaygiri
28-08-2025
Source: IE
Two advanced Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri have been commissioned, marking a significant step in India's naval modernization
- Project 17A: P17A ships feature enhanced stealth capabilities compared to their predecessors P17 (Shivalik) class, with improvements in hull design and weapon systems.
- The design incorporates ‘State of the Art’ weapons and sensors that include supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and rapid-fire Close-in Weapon Systems.
- These multi-mission frigates are designed to operate in a ‘Blue Water’ environment, meaning they can handle both conventional and non-conventional threats within India's maritime interests.
- An Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) is also installed to optimize the ship’s functionality and crew coordination.
- INS Himgiri: First P-17A stealth frigate built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
- INS Udaygiri: Second P-17A stealth frigate built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), also the 100th ship designed by Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
- Capabilities: Equipped with BrahMos missiles, Barak-8 missiles, LRSAM, torpedoes, rocket launchers, advanced radars, and Shakti Electronic Warfare Suite.
- Legacy names: Both ships revive historic names of earlier INS Udaygiri (1976) and INS Himgiri (1974), which played key roles in Operation Pawan, Operation Cactus, Operation Sahayata and others.
Integrated Air Drop Test for Gaganyaan Mission
28-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1) for the Gaganyaan mission.
- IADT-1 aimed to validate the performance of the parachute-based deceleration system for the Crew Module (CM) of the Gaganyaan mission in a real-world scenario.
- The test involved collaborations between ISRO, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard.
What is Gaganyaan Mission?
- Overview: India’s first human spaceflight program, aiming to send a crew of 3 astronauts to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 400 km for 3 days and return them safely to Earth.
- Mission Phases: Includes two unmanned test missions followed by the first manned mission expected to happen in early 2027.
- Significance: Gaganyaan success will place India among the elite group of nations (US, Russia, China) with human spaceflight capability.
- Crew training for Gaganyaan: Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla are India’s astronauts-designated for Gaganyaan.
- Key Technologies for Crew Safety:
- Human-Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3): It is a modified version of ISRO's LVM3 rocket. It includes solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages, re-configured to meet human rating requirements.
- The rocket is capable of launching the Orbital Module to a Low Earth Orbit (400 km) and features a Crew Escape System (CES) with high burn rate solid motors to ensure crew safety during emergencies at launch or ascent.
- CES ensures safe abort in case of emergencies during launch or ascent.
- Orbital Module (OM): Houses the Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM) with life support, avionics, and propulsion systems.
- The CM is a habitable space with an Earth-like environment, with a pressurized inner structure and unpressurized external structure. It houses crew interfaces, life support systems, and avionics, and is designed for re-entry.
- The SM supports the CM in orbit, providing thermal, propulsion, power systems, avionics, and deployment mechanisms, but remains unpressurized.
- Mission Preparatory Tests:
- Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT): Validate parachute and deceleration systems.
- Test Vehicle Missions (TV): Test abort and launch systems.
- Pad Abort Test (PAT): Check crew module safety from various altitudes.
- Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF): Recovery trials with Navy support.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)
- PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
- Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
- GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 3 only
Ans: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
- made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
- made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically. (2017)
Financial Conditions Index
28-07-2025
Source: IE
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a daily-frequency Financial Conditions Index (FCI) to assess India’s financial market health in real-time to aid policymakers and analysts.
- Objective: The FCI will serve as a composite indicator to measure tight or easy financial conditions relative to historical average since 2012.
- Components: The FCI tracks 20 financial market indicators across money markets, government securities (G-Secs), corporate bonds, equities, and forex markets.
- Positive values of the standardised FCI indicate tighter conditions, while negative values suggest easier financial conditions.
- Trends: During the RBI's sample period, the tightest financial conditions were recorded in July 2013 (taper tantrum, FCI at 2.826) driven by bond and forex market stress, while the easiest conditions occurred in June 2021 (post-Covid, FCI at -2.197) due to the RBI’s liquidity measures.
- A taper tantrum refers to a sudden spike in interest rates, triggered by investors' concerns that a central bank may begin scaling back its bond-buying program (quantitative easing).
- Significance: This initiative highlights India’s commitment to indigenous macro-financial research and real-time policy planning.
Outlook of Indian Economy
28-07-2025
For Prelims: Reserve Bank of India, Consumer Price Index, Inflation, Current Account Deficit, Gross fiscal deficit , Foreign Portfolio Investment
For Mains: State of the Indian economy and macroeconomic indicators, Inflation and fiscal discipline, State finances
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India's article titled “State of the Economy” offers a cautiously optimistic view of the Indian economy, amid global and trade-related uncertainties.
What is India's Present State of the Economy?
- Inflation: Retail inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI)) fell from 5.4% in 2023–24 to 2.1% in June 2025, the lowest since January 2019.
- In June 2025, core inflation rose to 4.4% due to costlier personal care, education, and recreation, while overall inflation eased more sharply in rural (1.7%) than urban areas (2.6%).
- Balance of Payments: India recorded a current account surplus of 1.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q4 2024–25.
- India’s Current Account Deficit narrowed to 0.7% of GDP in FY24.
- Fiscal Developments: Gross fiscal deficit (GFD) stood at 0.8% of its 2025-26 budget estimates, a significant improvement from 3.1% in 2024-25
- Till May 2025, the Centre received 21% of Budget Estimates (BE) 2025-26 of Total Receipts. Total expenditure stood at 14.7% of FY26 BE, with a notable focus on capital expenditure.
- Trade Performance: India’s overall trade deficit narrowed nearly 30% in May 2025, mainly due to falling oil prices and strong services exports.
- Compared to May 2024, total exports in May 2025 grew by 2.8% boosted by a 9.4% rise in services exports, while total imports fell by 1%.
- India’s export performance in FY 2024–25 was driven by strong growth in sectors like coffee, tobacco, electronic goods, rice, and drugs & pharmaceuticals.
- Other sectors such as ready-made garments (RMG) of textiles, plastic & linoleum, engineering goods, and fruits & vegetables also saw positive growth.
- The US, UK, Japan, UAE, and France emerged as top export destinations during the year.
- On the import front, major sources included UAE, China, Thailand, US, and Russia.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): FDI inflows up 14% in FY25 from FY24, and 125% higher than FY14.
- The services sector led with 19% of equity inflows, followed by software & hardware (16%) and trading (8%).
- Manufacturing FDI rose by 18% in FY25 compared to FY24, Maharashtra topped with 39% of inflows, while Singapore was the largest source (30%), followed by Mauritius and the US.
- Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI): India witnessed positive net Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) inflows of USD 44.1 billion in FY24.
- External Debt: India's external debt rose by 10% in 2025 compared to 2024, with the debt-to-GDP ratio rose slightly to 19.1% from 18.5% FY24.
- Foreign Exchange Reserves: India's foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 696 billion as of July 2025, covering over 11 months of goods imports and 95% of external debt.
What are the Factors Affecting the Indian Economy at Present?
- Global Headwinds:
- Geopolitical and Trade Tensions: Ongoing Iran-Israel tensions and uncertainty around US tariff policies are keeping the global environment unstable.
- Global tariff rates may rise to levels last seen in the 1930s, which could raise India’s import costs and worsen inflation.
- Weak Global Confidence: Consumer and business sentiment remains subdued worldwide, slowing the pace of global recovery.
- This reduces demand for Indian exports, especially in sectors like manufacturing and IT services.
- Sticky Global Inflation: Inflation has increased in advanced economies and remains elevated in emerging markets like Brazil and Russia.
- This may lead to tighter global monetary policy, which can restrict foreign capital flows into India and increase borrowing costs.
- Domestic Activity:
- Industrial Slowdown: Growth in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) fell to 1.2% in May 2025, the lowest since August 2024.
- This hampers job creation and weakens momentum in industrial and manufacturing sectors.
- Drop in Credit Growth: Bank credit to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and industry declined.
- NBFC loan disbursals dropped 13% year-on-year in the September 2024 quarter. Urban loan sanctions fell 23%, and long-term loans dropped by 50%.
- Loans against securities and education loans also saw sharp declines. This curbs business investment and slows economic expansion.
- Slower GST Revenue Growth: Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections grew by only about 6% in June 2025, the slowest pace in four years.
- This suggests weakening demand, a cautious business sentiment, and adds pressure on government finances.
- Labour Market Strain: While unemployment remained steady at 5.6% in June 2025, rural labour force participation declined due to the agricultural lean season and extreme heat.
- This signals stress in rural employment, which can hurt rural consumption and overall demand.
- State Finances: States face rising subsidy burdens from loan waivers and free services, which strain finances and divert funds from infrastructure.
Way Forward
- Fast-track Trade Deals: Expedite FTAs with key partners like the US to cushion against tariff hikes and open new markets.
- Invest in export infrastructure, port efficiency, and quality certification to help Indian goods compete globally.
- Boost Rural Demand and Job Creation: Expand rural employment programs during lean agricultural seasons and heatwaves.
- Shift focus from just transfers to rural skilling and non-farm livelihood support, especially for youth and women. Improve irrigation, cold storage, and market linkages to make farming more resilient.
- Maintain Macro Stability While Supporting Growth: Control inflation through supply-side steps while sticking to the fiscal glide path.
- Keep policies stable and investor-friendly to ensure capital flows. Use forex reserves to support essential imports like energy and tech.
Conclusion
India needs disciplined, steady, and state-led execution. Balancing welfare with investment, and exports with domestic demand, will be key to turning current challenges into a long-term growth opportunity.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? (2015)
(a) Coal production
(b) Electricity generation
(c) Fertilizer production
(d) Steel production
Ans: (b)
Q. Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if: (2018)
(a) Industrial output fails to keep pace with agricultural output.
(b) Agricultural output fails to keep pace with industrial output
(c) Poverty and unemployment increase.
(d) Imports grow faster than exports.
Ans: (c)
Q. In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because: (2019)
(a) Poverty rates vary from State to State
(b) Price levels vary from State to State
(c) Gross State Product varies from State to State
(d) Quality of public distribution varies from State to State
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Do you agree that Indian economy has recently experienced V–shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of their answer. (2021)
Q. Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments. (2019)
Q. “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (2017)
Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
28-06-2025
Source: TOI
A tigress and her four cubs were found dead in Karnataka’s Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Wildlife Sanctuary, suspected to have been poisoned amid escalating human-wildlife conflict.
Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
- About: It is located in Chamarajanagar district, southeast Karnataka, near the Tamil Nadu border, and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2013.
- Its topography includes mainly dry deciduous forests, along with patches of moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen, and shola forests at varying altitudes.
- Ecological Importance: It is contiguous with Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, forming a critical tiger corridor between the two states.
- It is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, apart from a rich density of prey species.
- Tiger Reserve Status: The proposal to upgrade MM Hills to a Tiger Reserve has been pending for nearly 15 years. If approved, Chamarajanagar will become the first district in India to host 3 tiger reserves—Bandipur, BRT, and MM Hills.
- Karnataka has the second-largest tiger population in India (563 tigers) after Madhya Pradesh (785 tigers).
- Human Settlements: The region is home to two dominant communities: the Soligas, indigenous former hunter-gatherers, and the Lingayats, temple priests from Mysore engaged in temple management.

Review of Project Elephant
28-06-2025
Source: IE
The Union Environment Ministry reviewed key initiatives under Project Elephant (1992) , highlighting the completion of Phase-I of the synchronized elephant population estimation in Northeastern states.
Key Highlights of Project Elephant Review
- Mortality Mitigation Measures: Railway tracks were surveyed to identify high-risk zones for mitigating elephant-train collisions, which have resulted in 73 elephant deaths between 2019 and 2024.
- Genetic Profiling & Conservation: Created a genetic profile of captive elephants.
- Conflict Management: Regional action plans to prevent human-elephant conflict in Southern and Northeastern India by protecting elephant corridors.
Elephants
- About: Elephants, India's National Heritage Animal, are matriarchal and live in female-led groups.
- As keystone species and ecosystem engineers, they maintain forest health by dispersing seeds and creating water access for other species.
- Species:
- Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
- African Elephants:
- Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
- Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)
- Population in India: Indian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus), a subspecies of Asian elephants, account for around 60% of the global Asian elephant population.
- As per the 2017 census, India hosts approximately 29,964 elephants.
- Karnataka recorded the highest elephant population, followed by Assam and Kerala.
- In terms of protected areas, Sathyamangalam forest division has the highest number of elephants.
- Conservation Status:
- Key Initiatives:

Impact of Climate Change on Global Food Production
28-06-2025
Source: TH
A study warns that every 1°C rise in global temperatures will lead to a 4% reduction in per capita calorie availability by 2100, severely impacting staple crops like wheat, rice, maize, and soybean.
- The study differs from previous research by factoring in farmer adaptation, including the use of heat-resistant crop varieties and adjustments to sowing and watering schedules.
Key Findings
- Farmer adaptation through measures like heat-resistant crops and adjusted sowing/irrigation could reduce losses by 23% (2050) and 34% (2100), but losses remain severe, except for rice.
- Between 2050–2100, wheat yields may drop by 30–40% in China, Russia, the US, and Canada, with northern India worst affected.
- Rice may see mixed effects in India and Southeast Asia, but over 50% losses in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, while maize and soybean face significant global declines.
- Losses affect not only poor countries but also modern breadbaskets like the US, Europe, and China, highlighting the urgent need for innovation, cropland expansion, and climate-resilient practices.
Cloud Seeding in Delhi
27-10-2025
Source:IE
Why in News?
The Delhi government partnered with IIT-Kanpur to conduct cloud seeding experiments to combat rising post-monsoon air pollution.
- However, experts from the Ministry of Earth Sciences have cautioned that the absence of rain-bearing clouds during the post-monsoon season makes the timing scientifically unsuitable, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the initiative.
What is Cloud Seeding?
- About: Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique aimed at enhancing precipitation (rain or snow) from existing clouds.
- Mechanism: It involves dispersing substances such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, sodium chloride, or dry ice (solid CO₂) into clouds using aircraft.
- These particles act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) or ice nuclei (IN), mimicking the structure of ice and prompting supercooled water droplets in the clouds to freeze.
- As these ice crystals grow larger and heavier, they eventually coalesce and fall to the ground as rain or snow.
- Cloud seeding cannot create clouds, but works only when there are naturally formed clouds with sufficient moisture.
- Cloud Seeding in India & Across Globe: The India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has conducted several studies under the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX).
- These experiments, conducted in phases between 2009 and 2019, showed that rainfall could be increased by up to 46% under favourable conditions.
- States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have experimented with cloud seeding for drought relief.
- China extensively uses cloud seeding for weather control, especially before major events (e.g., 2008 Beijing Olympics).
- UAE and Saudi Arabia regularly use cloud seeding to tackle water scarcity.
- Applications of Cloud Seeding: Enhancing rainfall in drought-prone or arid regions.
- Reducing air pollution by washing out pollutants (as proposed in Delhi).
- Dispersing fog near airports or highways to improve visibility.
- Suppressing hailstorms or modifying weather for agricultural purposes.

What are the Limitations of Using Cloud Seeding to Curb Air Pollution?
- Lack of Rain-bearing Clouds: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies October to December as the post-monsoon season, when monsoon clouds and low-pressure systems have already withdrawn.
- The atmosphere is mostly dry and stable, with limited vertical motion needed for cloud formation.
- Even when clouds are present, their composition, temperature, and moisture levels must be ideal for seeding. As cloud seeding only works on existing, moisture-laden ones.
- Dependence on Western Disturbances: During this period, any rainfall in North India typically comes from western disturbances (weather systems originating in the Mediterranean).
- These are infrequent and unpredictable, making it difficult to plan cloud seeding operations in advance.
- Limited and Temporary Impact: Any rain produced through seeding would offer only short-term relief from pollution by temporarily washing out particulate matter. The pollution levels would rise again once emissions continue.
- Environmental Risks: Chemicals like silver iodide used for seeding can accumulate in soil and water, though their long-term effects are still debated.
- Accountability Risks: If cloud seeding coincides with flooding or extreme rainfall, the public may blame the intervention, whether or not it’s responsible.
- There are no clear frameworks for accountability, making it hard to assign responsibility if harm occurs.
- Misallocation of resources: The absence of region-specific scientific data limits the effectiveness of cloud seeding, making it difficult to assess its results or justify the investment, while diverting funds from proven, evidence-based solutions.

What are the Persistent Causes of Air Pollution in Delhi?
- Vehicular Emissions: Delhi has over 1.2 crore registered vehicles, one of the highest in the country.
- Exhaust from petrol and diesel engines releases particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, which are major contributors to urban smog.
- Crop Residue Burning: Smoke from stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana drifts into Delhi every winter, significantly increasing PM2.5 levels across the NCR region.
- Industrial and Construction Pollution: Continuous construction and demolition activities release large amounts of dust and suspended particles. Poor dust control measures worsen local air quality.
- Small- and medium-scale industries in and around Delhi, including in areas like Bawana and Wazirpur, often use dirty fuels such as coal, biomass, or furnace oil, adding to toxic emissions.
- Meteorological and Geographical Factors: During winter, weak winds, low temperatures, and temperature inversion trap pollutants near the surface.
- The city’s location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain further restricts air circulation, allowing pollutants to accumulate leading to increased pollution.
What are the Sustainable Solutions to Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis?
- Emission Control: Enforce stricter vehicle norms and promote EVs under the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024 with better charging infrastructure and awareness drives.
- Industrial and Power Regulation: Strengthen monitoring under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), enforce strict Graded Response Action Plan, and phase out coal-based power plants near NCR.
- Waste Management: Ban open waste burning, improve segregation and recycling, and follow models like Surat's clean construction handbook and waste management strategy (led to reduction of open waste burning from 25% to 2% between 2015 and 2020) and Indore’s waste system for better results.
- Crop Residue Management: Promote Happy Seeder and subsidised Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines to discourage stubble burning and offer incentives for sustainable farming practices.
- Green Infrastructure: Expand urban forests, parks, and green belts to absorb pollutants and reduce heat and dust.
- Public Participation: Encourage citizens to carpool, cut waste, conserve energy, and follow air-quality advisories.
Conclusion
- Cloud seeding is a promising yet scientifically uncertain tool for weather modification. While it can supplement water management efforts or temporarily reduce pollution, it is not a substitute for structural environmental reforms.
For India, the priority should remain on sustainable water management, emission reduction, and clean energy adoption, rather than relying on short-term weather engineering solutions.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Cloud seeding offers a temporary fix but not a solution to India’s air pollution crisis. Discuss
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Cloud Seeding?
It is a weather modification technique that disperses substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, sodium chloride, or dry ice into clouds to enhance precipitation.
2. What is the purpose of the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024?
To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce vehicular emissions contributing to urban air pollution.
3. What is the Happy Seeder machine used for?
It enables in-situ management of crop residue by sowing seeds directly into the soil without burning stubble.
4. What is the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?
It is a set of emergency measures implemented in the Delhi-NCR region to control air pollution based on the severity of air quality levels.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of
A. silver iodide and potassium iodide
B. silver nitrate and potassium iodide
C. silver iodide and potassium nitrate
D. silver nitrate and potassium chloride
Ans: A
Q. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into the stratosphere? (2019)
(a) Creating the artificial rains in some regions
(b) Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
(c) Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
(d) Reducing the global warming
Ans: (d)
China’s Wildlife Diplomacy
27-10-2025
Source: TOI
- China’s “Wildlife Diplomacy” has entered a new phase, with the loan of golden snub-nosed monkeys(Rhinopithecus roxellana) to European zoos (in France and Belgium) under a 10‑year agreement.
- These monkeys, unique to central China, are being positioned as new “animal ambassadors” potentially a successor to China’s famous panda diplomacy.
- China’s long‑standing use of animals as tools of diplomacy established the precedent for wildlife‑based engagement.
- China’s Panda Diplomacy: It began in 1957 when China gifted pandas to the Soviet Union, later sending them to the US in 1972.
- Lessons for India: India as a nation rich in biodiversity, India can examine the role of iconic species (e.g., Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros) in its cultural diplomacy and conservation partnerships.
Golden Snub-nosed Monkey

Driving Digital Transformation in Gram Panchayats
27-09-2025
For Prelims: Digital India, Gram Panchayats, Bhashini, SVAMITVA, BharatNet, Gram Sabha, eGramSwaraj.
For Mains: Understanding digital initiatives for Panchayats requires a holistic examination of their necessity, socio-economic impact, benefits, implementation challenges, and the necessary corrective measures.
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has launched digital reforms for Gram Panchayats, aligned with Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, to promote transparent, efficient, and inclusive rural governance.
What are the Key Digital Initiatives Related to Gram Panchayats?
- SabhaSaar: Launched in August 2025, SabhaSaar is an AI tool that produces structured minutes of meetings from Gram Sabha and other Panchayat gatherings. Integrated with Bhashini, it supports 14 Indian languages, providing real-time, accurate, and unbiased records.
- SVAMITVA: Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas Scheme grants rural households legal ownership papers for their homes and land facilitating bank loans, dispute resolution, and asset utilisation.
- As of August 2025, under the SVAMITVA Scheme, 2.63 crore property cards have been issued across 1.73 lakh villages.
- BharatNet: BharatNet aims to deliver broadband via Wi-Fi hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, and other services, with over 13 lakh FTTH connections commissioned so far.
- eGramSwaraj: This comprehensive application integrates core Panchayat functions like planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, reporting, asset management, and online payments, serving over 2.7 lakh Panchayati Raj Institutions across 28 States and 6 UTs.

- Meri Panchayat App: The Meri Panchayat App functions as an integrated mobile governance platform, promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in Panchayat affairs. It serves over 25 lakh elected representatives and nearly 95 crore rural residents across 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats.
- Panchayat NIRNAY: The portal schedules meetings, notifies citizens of agendas, records Gram Sabha decisions, and replaces paper-based processes with automated workflow.
- Gram Manchitra: Gram Manchitra provides a unified digital map to visualise developmental works, align them with the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), identify project sites, track assets, estimate costs, and assess impacts.
How do Digital Initiatives Enhance the Functioning of Panchayats?
- Clarity in Governance: Citizens can instantly view panchayat finances, and project statuses on mobile phones, while AI-generated meeting summaries provide impartial records, fostering public trust.
- Administrative Productivity: Automation of minute-taking and report generation allows officials to concentrate on implementation of projects and problem-solving, while unified systems streamline planning, fund allocation, and expenditure tracking.
- Inclusivity: Platforms like Bhashini support multiple Indian languages, ensuring rural communities across diverse regions are included in the digital governance framework.
- Digital Inclusion: BharatNet provides high-speed internet, enabling e-governance, e-health, e-education, and e-commerce services in villages, bridging the digital divide and bringing rural India closer to urban connectivity standards.
- Data-Driven Development: Geographic Information System (GIS) technology visualizes village assets and terrain on a digital map, supporting data-driven resource allocation and informed decisions on locating new infrastructure like roads or water sources for maximum impact.
What Factors Limit the Effectiveness of Digital Reforms in Panchayati Raj Institutions?
- Infrastructure Deficit: Despite BharatNet, remote Panchayats face slow internet, frequent power outages, inadequate hardware (computers, printers), and limited broadband infrastructure, restricting the use of online services like eGramSwaraj.
- Digital Literacy Gap: A significant portion of rural residents and elected representatives lack basic digital skills, limiting effective use of apps like Meri Panchayat. Inadequate training for Panchayat secretaries and officials on complex platforms leads to errors or non-use.
- Linguistic and Cultural Barriers: Language diversity and lack of support for local dialects may limit accessibility despite multi-language tools. Low awareness and resistance to change due to reliance on traditional methods hinder adoption of digital tools.
- Implementation Hurdles: The effectiveness of Gram Manchitra relies on accurate data; outdated or incorrect input leads to flawed planning.
- Lack of local technical support threatens maintenance and sustainability, while overlapping and siloed systems increase workload and cause frustration.
- Gender Digital Divide: Women in rural areas face lower literacy and limited phone access, leading to a gender digital divide.
How can Digital Governance Initiatives be Improved at the Panchayat Level?
- Ensuring Reliable Access: Augment BharatNet with last-mile Wi-Fi hotspots or broadband kiosks set up by local entrepreneurs. Provide solar backup in Panchayat offices. Standardize hardware with functional computers, printers, scanners, and dedicated internet.
- Deepening Capacity Building: Establish Digital Sathis — trained local youth providing on-ground support. Develop vernacular, video-based training for apps like eGramSwaraj and Meri Panchayat.
- Incentivize usage by linking timely platform use to performance-based rewards or faster fund disbursals.
- Enhancing User Experience: Create a unified login portal (e.g., Digital Panchayat Dashboard) for apps like eGramSwaraj, Gram Manchitra etc with simplified interfaces featuring intuitive, icon-based designs.
- Fostering Participatory Governance: Establish women-operated digital literacy centres and self-help groups to use apps like Meri Panchayat.
- Add offline and voice-based features like IVR (Interactive Voice Response) to enable data access and grievance reporting despite internet or literacy limitations.
- Support and Monitoring Framework: Set up a Panchayat IT Helpdesk with a toll-free helpline for real-time technical support, and prioritise quality of use via dashboard analytics over mere adoption.
Conclusion
Digital initiatives are transforming rural governance by improving transparency and efficiency. Focusing on robust infrastructure, continuous capacity building, and inclusive design can bridge the digital divide and empower Panchayati Raj Institutions.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. "Digital tools for Panchayati Raj Institutions promise transformative governance but face significant implementation challenges." Critically examine this statement in the Indian context.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in (2017)
(a) Federalism
(b) Democratic decentralisation
(c) Administrative delegation
(d) Direct democracy
Ans: (b)
Q. The fundamental object of the Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? (2015)
- People’s participation in development
- Political accountability
- Democratic decentralization
- Financial mobilization
Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q1. To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? (2022)
Q2. Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources can the Panchayats look out for financing developmental projects? (2018)

WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
27-09-2025
Source: ET
Why in News?
India is in the process of ratifying the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, positioning itself as a strong voice for sustainable fishing practices and the protection of small-scale fishers.
- The move comes amid global efforts to curb harmful subsidies that drive overfishing and threaten marine biodiversity.
What is the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?
- About: The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is a binding multilateral agreement, aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and fair trade in global fisheries.
- It is the first WTO agreement focused on ocean governance and protecting marine resources. The agreement was adopted at WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in 2022 , under the Geneva Package; it entered into force in September 2025 after two-thirds of WTO members deposited their acceptance instruments.
- Key Objectives: Prohibit subsidies that contribute to overfishing, overcapacity, and depletion of fish stocks.
- Safeguard the livelihoods of millions dependent on fisheries for nutrition and income.
- Provide a level playing field by disciplining subsidies that distort competition.
- Key Features:
- Subsidy Prohibitions: Prohibits government support for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fishing of overfished stocks, and fishing on unregulated high seas.
- Transparency Mechanism: WTO members must notify their subsidies and fishing activities for monitoring.
- Implementation Support: The WTO Fish Fund was established to aid developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by providing technical support and funding.
- Committee on Fisheries Subsidies: Provides a forum for regular dialogue, compliance review, and technical assistance.
What is India’s Stance on WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?
- Protection for Small Fishers: India seeks policy space and exemptions to safeguard livelihoods of small-scale and artisanal fishers. India advocates for precise and effective Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), including a 25-year transition period for developing countries and LDCs, compared to 5–7 years proposed by developed nations.
- Per Capita Subsidy Basis: India proposes that subsidy disciplines be calculated per fisher, not on total subsidy amounts, highlighting the disparity between high subsidies in developed countries (USD 76,000 per fisher) versus India (USD 35 per fisher).
- Stricter Rules for Historical Subsidisers: Calls for stricter rules targeting countries that have historically given high subsidies contributing to overfishing, while protecting nations with low-impact fisheries.
- Sustainability Focus: Emphasizes that rules should not penalize nations working toward sustainable fishing and should support long-term marine conservation.
What are India’s Initiatives and Schemes to Promote Sustainable Fisheries?
- Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-16): Focused on increasing fish production and productivity through aquaculture and marine fisheries development.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY, 2020): PMMSY aimed at transforming the fisheries sector by enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and promoting sustainable practices.
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF, 2018-19): Provides financial support for infrastructure development in marine and inland fisheries.
- National Policy on Marine Fisheries (NPMF, 2017): Ensures sustainable marine resource management and conservation of fish stocks.
- State Specific Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRA): States like Maharashtra, Kerala regulate fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including fishing bans and the prohibition of destructive practices.
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE): Provides education and research in sustainable fish farming and aquaculture practices.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. The terms ‘Agreement on Agriculture’, ‘Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures’ and ‘Peace Clause’ appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the (2015)
(a) Food and Agriculture Organization
(b) United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change
(c) World Trade Organization
(d) United Nations Environment Programme
Ans: (c)
Mains:
Q. WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security. (2014)

National Initiative on Water Security
27-09-2025
Source:PIB
The Union Government has launched the National Initiative on Water Security under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, prioritizing water conservation across rural India
- National Initiative on Water Security: It aims to address depleting groundwater levels and ensure long-term rural water security. To implement this, the MGNREGA Act, 2005, was amended to make water conservation works mandatory by allocating funds, providing a statutory backing to the initiative.
- In ‘over-exploited’ blocks, 65% of MGNREGA funds will be used for water-related works.
- In ‘semi-critical’ blocks, 40% of MGNREGA funds will be spent on water conservation.
- Even in blocks without water scarcity, at least 30% of funds will go towards water-related works.
- It shifts focus from ad hoc water works to systematic water security planning, and reflects India’s commitment to water conservation through campaigns like ‘Catch the Rain’ and ‘Amrit Sarovars’.
- Achievements of MGNREGA in Water Conservation: MGNREGA has become the world’s largest social welfare program, creating over 1.25 crore water conservation assets like farm ponds and check dams.
- These efforts have reduced water stress in rural areas. Under Mission Amrit Sarovar, more than 68,000 reservoirs were constructed or rejuvenated in the first phase.

Climate Change & Workplace Heat Stress Report
27-08-2025
Source: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a joint report, Climate Change and Workplace Heat Stress, highlighting the escalating global health risks of extreme heat for workers worldwide due to climate change.
Heat- Stress Impact on Workers
- Key Findings:
- Extreme heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40–50°C in many regions, affecting both outdoor and indoor workers.
- Worker productivity drops 2–3% per degree above 20°C. Health risks including heatstroke, dehydration, kidney, and neurological disorders, which now impact half the global population, with heat stress spreading beyond equatorial regions.
- Over 2.4 billion workers face excessive heat globally, causing 22.85 million occupational injuries annually (ILO).
- Vulnerable groups: Manual workers in agriculture, construction, and fisheries; middle-aged and older adults; low-income populations; children and elderly in developing countries.
- Recommendations: Formulate occupational heat-health policies; raise awareness among workers, employers, and health professionals; engage stakeholders in co-creating locally relevant strategies.
- Implement practical, affordable, and sustainable solutions; leverage technology; promote research and evaluation.
- It aligns with UN SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
India at the Forefront of Global Food Security
27-08-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed a Letter of Intent for India to supply fortified rice to vulnerable populations worldwide, using its agricultural surplus to support global food security.
How does India Shape the Global Food Security Landscape?
- Major Global Producer and Exporter: India is a food surplus country today, standing as the largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices, and the second largest producer of food grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton, sugar, tea, and farmed fish.
- India exports a wide range of products, including milk, pulses, horticulture, shrimp, and spices, supporting global nutrition and generating economic gains.
- Research & Innovation: Indian institutions like Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) share agri-tech, high-yield seeds, and sustainable farming practices with Africa and Asia under South-South Cooperation.
- India as an Architect of Food Security Solutions: Programs like the National Food Security Act (2013), POSHAN Abhiyaan and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana strengthen domestic food security and nutrition, offering replicable solutions for other developing nations.
- Humanitarian Assistance: India provides emergency food aid to countries in crisis, such as Afghanistan, African nations, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, using mechanisms like the WFP for distribution.
- World Trade Organization (WTO) Negotiations: India champions the cause of developing nations’ right to public stockholding, protecting food security of billions.
- Promotion of Climate-Smart Practices: India promotes millets (International Year of Millets 2023) as climate-resilient crops, offering sustainable solutions to global hunger.

Food Security Scenario in India
- The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 shifted India’s food security from welfare to a rights-based approach, covering up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations.
- Currently, about 80 crore people receive highly subsidized foodgrains.
- Measures like digitizing ration cards and the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme(ONORC) improved transparency, allowing beneficiaries to access entitlements nationwide.
- There was also a growing focus on nutritional security through programs like POSHAN Abhiyaan and bio-fortified crops to address malnutrition and "hidden hunger" by diversifying the Public Distribution System basket.
- Additionally, the government promoted sustainable farming practices through schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (organic farming) and the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture to ensure long-term food security.
What are India’s Key Food Security Challenges and How can they be Tackled?
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Challenge
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Measures to Tackle It
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Decreasing Per capita Food Availability: 510.1 grams per day per person in 1991 to 507.9 grams in 2021.
- According to the United Nations India ranks second in food wastage globally, following China.
- In the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 105th out of the 127 countries.
|
Improve storage and transportation infrastructure to reduce food waste. Invest in cold chain systems to prevent loss of perishable goods like fruits and dairy.
|
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Rising Vulnerability to Climate Change: Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather reduce crop yields and disrupt supply chains.
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Speeding up the implementation of the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Scheme in vulnerable villages. Promote crop diversification and expand drip irrigation to enhance resilience, soil fertility, and yield stability.
|
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Nutritional Challenge: 35.5% of children under age five years are stunted. 67% of children and 57% of women affected by anemia.
- According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025, about 12% of India’s population is undernourished.
|
Fortify foods with essential micronutrients like iron and vitamin B12. Implement iron supplementation programs for women and children.
|
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Public Distribution System (PDS) Issues: 28% of allocated grains failing to reach beneficiaries due to leakage.
- Ghost beneficiaries and duplicate ration cards persist despite Aadhaar linkage, with 47 million bogus cards canceled between 2013-2021.
|
Implement blockchain and IoT for digital tracking from procurement to distribution. Transform fair price shops into smart shops with biometric and QR code-based quality checks.
Strengthen One Nation One Ration Card Plan with centralized databases and migration tracking for seasonal migrants.
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What is the World Food Programme (WFP)?
- Establishment: The World Food Programme (WFP) is a United Nations agency focused on hunger eradication and food security, established in 1961 by the UN General Assembly and Food and Agriculture(FAO).
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
- Approach: Invests in local nutritious food solutions, fortification, and social protection systems.
- Empowers vulnerable communities to withstand shocks via improved livelihoods and climate resilience.
- Builds institutional capacity at the local level and addresses gender inequalities affecting food security.
- Recognition: WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
- India and WFP Collaboration: India, upholding the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family), is collaborating with WFP through initiatives like Supply Chain Optimization, Fortified Rice Rollout, Grain ATMs (Annapurti Devices), Jan Poshan Kendra, Smart Warehousing, and Mobile Storage Units (Flospans), while exploring further avenues for partnership.
Conclusion
India’s efforts to enhance food security contribute directly to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Through initiatives like fortified rice, climate-resilient agriculture, and improved nutrition programs, India supports both national and global food security.
Related Keywords for Mains
- “Nutrition Without Borders”: Delivering fortified food to the most vulnerable worldwide.
- “From Entitlement to Empowerment” : Self-reliant food systems.
- “Food Aid is Soft Aid” : Diplomacy through wheat, rice, pulses.
- “Leakages to Linkages”: PDS reforms through JAM trinity.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the four dimensions of food security and assess India’s shift from a food-deficit to a food-surplus nation, highlighting its role in global food security.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q. Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO. (2013)
Favipiravir Shows Promise Against Chandipura Virus (CHPV)
27-06-2025
Source: TH
The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has identified Favipiravir as a potential therapeutic drug against Chandipura virus (CHPV). In preclinical mouse studies, it showed reduced viral load and improved survival, but the results are preliminary. Further animal model validation is required before progressing to human clinical trials.
Chandipura Virus (CHPV)
- About: The Chandipura virus (CHPV) is a neglected arbovirus classified under the Vesiculovirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family.
- It is a cytoplasmic, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, known for its ability to cause rapid-onset encephalitic illness, particularly in children.
- It is a neurotropic virus capable of affecting the central nervous system.
- Epidemiology and Endemicity: CHPV was first detected in 1965 in Maharashtra. Major outbreaks occurred in 2003 in Telangana (300+ cases, >50% fatality) and in 2024 in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- It is now endemic to central India, especially rural and tribal areas, with outbreaks peaking during monsoon due to increased sandfly breeding.
- Transmission and Vectors: It is transmitted primarily by Phlebotomine sandflies, including Phlebotomus papatasi, and, in some cases, by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (vectors for dengue).
- The virus resides in the salivary glands of these insects and is spread through their bites.
- Vulnerable Population: The infection predominantly affects children under 15 years.
- Symptoms: Early symptoms mimic influenza, such as fever, headache, and body aches. Severe cases may progress to encephalitis, causing seizures, altered mental status, respiratory distress, anaemia, and bleeding tendencies.
- The virus can cause rapid neurological deterioration and high fatality rates if untreated.
- Current Treatment Status: There is no specific antiviral drug or vaccine for CHPV. Management is symptomatic and supportive.
Favipiravir
- Favipiravir is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug originally developed in Japan for the treatment of influenza.
- It functions by inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), an enzyme essential for the replication of RNA viruses.
- As an oral drug, it has been repurposed for use against several emerging RNA viruses, including Ebola, Lassa fever, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in emergency settings.
India Sends Second Astronaut to Space
27-06-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
India achieves a historic milestone as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian to travel to space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, and the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS).
What is the Axiom-4 Mission?
- About: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is the fourth private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS), operated by Axiom Space, a US-based space infrastructure company. It marks the fourth collaboration between NASA and Axiom Space, following the successful Ax-1, Ax-2, and Ax-3 missions.
- Crew Composition:
- Peggy Whitson (USA): Mission Commander and former NASA astronaut with 675+ days in space.
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland): ESA reserve astronaut.
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary): Payload specialist.
- Key Objectives of Axiom-4:
- Commercial Space Initiatives: Promotes space tourism and private research in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), supporting Axiom Space’s goal of building the first commercial space station and transitioning operations from the ISS to private infrastructure.
- Scientific Research & Experiments: Enables microgravity research in materials science, biology, Earth observation, and space agriculture. Key studies include:
- Human factors: Impact of screen exposure in microgravity.
- Astrobiology: Survival of tardigrade (water bears) in space.
- Space agriculture: Effects on six crop varieties (including moong dal) and cyanobacteria, relevant to life support systems.
- Global Collaboration: Features 60 experiments from 31 countries (including India, USA, Poland, Hungary), making it the most research-intensive Axiom mission and highlighting international cooperation in space science.
What is the Significance of the Axiom-4 Mission for India?
- Support for Gaganyaan: Axiom-4 provides critical hands-on experience for India’s planned Gaganyaan mission, especially in crew operations, microgravity research, and space biology, laying the groundwork for future independent human space missions.
- Strategic & Technological Edge: Human spaceflight is a key strategic capability for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. India’s role in Axiom-4 strengthens its position in the global space arena, supporting long-term goals like an Indian space station by 2035 and a human lunar mission by 2040.
- Global Standing & Economic Growth: ISRO’s active partnership in mission planning and execution showcases India's technological competence and boosts its international standing.
- It also opens avenues for private sector participation and foreign investments, vital for expanding India’s share in the global space economy.
- Youth Engagement and STEM Promotion: The mission inspires the youth, promotes STEM education, and helps build a skilled talent pipeline for India's expanding space sector, ensuring sustained innovation and national capacity building.
What are the Key Facts Related to the International Space Station (ISS)?
- About: The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest habitable artificial satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), functioning as a unique space laboratory for scientific research and international cooperation.
- International Collaboration: A joint venture of 15 countries, led by 5 space agencies (NASA, Roscosmos, European Space Agency, JAXA, and Canadian Space Agency).
- Microgravity Laboratory: The ISS hosts 3,000+ experiments from 108+ countries, enabling research in science, medicine, and Earth observation. Its microgravity aids in studying human adaptation and developing Earth-relevant innovations.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. What is the purpose of the US Space Agency’s Themis Mission, which was recently in the news? (2008)
(a) To study the possibility of life on Mars
(b) To study the satellites of Saturn
(c) To study the colourful display of high-latitude skies
(d) To build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions
Ans: (c)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO
- is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
- made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
- made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)
26-09-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Union Finance Minister formally launched the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), marking a significant milestone in India’s GST journey. The tribunal is set to streamline dispute resolution and reinforce trust in India’s indirect tax system.
What is the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)?
- About: GSTAT is a statutory body established under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 to hear appeals against orders passed by the Appellate or Revisional Authorities.
- It provides taxpayers a specialized and independent forum for justice, enhancing the orderliness, predictability, and credibility of the GST regime.
- Objectives: GSTAT aims to create a single, unified appellate forum for GST disputes across India (“One Nation, One Forum”). It minimizes legal friction and ambiguity in GST laws.
- It aims to ensure timely resolution of disputes to improve cash flow and business certainty.
- GSTAT focuses on plain language decisions, simplified formats, checklists, and virtual hearings. It promotes citizen-centric governance aligned with principles of ‘Nagarik Devo Bhava’ and Next-Gen GST reforms.
- Functions: GSTAT functions via a Principal Bench in New Delhi and 31 State Benches across 45 locations, ensuring nationwide reach.
- Each bench has 2 Judicial Members, 1 Central Technical Member, and 1 State Technical Member, blending judicial and technical expertise for impartial and consistent decisions.
- Designed around the three S’s: Structure (judicial + technical expertise), Scale (state benches and single-member benches for simple cases), and Synergy (technology, process, and human expertise).
- GSTAT e-Courts Portal enables online filing, case tracking, and virtual hearings for taxpayers and practitioners.
- Benefits: Protects the rights of both large and small taxpayers with no undue delay in justice. Reduces ambiguity and ensures consistency in interpretation across India.
- Encourages investment confidence and simplifies tax compliance for MSMEs, exporters, startups, and citizens.
- Digital portal enables taxpayers to file appeals online, track cases, and participate in virtual hearings.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following items: (2018)
Cereal grains hulled
Chicken eggs cooked
Fish processed and canned
Newspapers containing advertising material
Which of the above items is/are exempted under GST (Good and Services Tax)?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (c)
Q. What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? (2017)
It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
India’s SDG 3 Progress
26-09-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
India has achieved its best-ever position in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index 2025, ranking 99th out of 167 countries, up from 109 in 2024. The rise reflects progress in infrastructure and basic services.
- However, challenges remain in achieving SDG 3-Good Health and Well-being, with persistent health disparities, especially in rural and tribal areas.

What is the Status of India’s Progress on SDG 3?
- Maternal Health: The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stands at 97 deaths per 100,000 live births, far from the target of 70.
- Child Mortality: The under-five mortality rate is 32 deaths per 1,000 live births, against a target of 25.
- Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy is currently 70 years, falling short of the 73.63-year target.
- Financial Burden: Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure remains a heavy burden at 13% of total consumption, nearly double the target of 7.83%.
- Immunisation: While high at 93.23%, immunisation coverage has not yet achieved the universal target of 100%.
What are the Reasons for Gaps in Achieving SDG 3 Targets?
- Access Issues: Poor health infrastructure, especially in rural areas, and economic barriers prevent many from accessing quality healthcare.
- Non-Economic Factors: Challenges such as poor nutrition, inadequate sanitation, and unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute significantly to the disease burden.
- Socio-Cultural Barriers: Cultural practices and stigma, particularly around mental and reproductive health, often deter communities from seeking available medical services.
- Double Burden of Disease: India continues to battle communicable diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, and Leprosy, while the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, places additional strain on the health system.
- Covid-19 Pandemic Disruption: It diverted resources from immunization, maternal care, and disease control, leading to delayed diagnoses, interrupted treatment, fewer institutional deliveries, and setbacks in vaccine coverage.
What Measures Should India Adopt to Enhance SDG 3 Progress?
- Universal Health Insurance: Implement universal health insurance to cut out-of-pocket costs and enhance equitable healthcare access.
- Strengthening PHCs & Digital Health: Strengthen Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for early disease detection and use telemedicine and digital records to expand access in remote areas.
- School Health Education: Introduce a structured health education curriculum in schools covering nutrition, hygiene, reproductive health, road safety, and mental well-being.
- E.g., Finland reduced cardiovascular deaths, and Japan improved hygiene and longevity through school health education.
- Cross-Sectoral Convergence: Strengthen coordination among Ministry of Health, Women and Child Development, Jal Shakti, and Environment for integrated nutrition, water and sanitation, environmental health, and healthcare.
- Empower Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies to manage health initiatives and conduct social audits for accountability.
- Accelerating the implementation of Schemes: Accelerate the implementation of schemes like Ayushman Bharat (Rs 5 lakh health cover per family); Poshan Abhiyaan (reduce stunting, under-nutrition), Mission Indradhanush (child immunization), and LaQshya (improve labour room and maternity care quality).

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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Examine India’s progress under SDG 3 (“Good Health and Well-being”) and discuss the key challenges in achieving maternal and child health targets by 2030
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Sustainable development is described as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this perspective, inherently the concept of sustainable development is intertwined with which of the following concepts? (2010)
(a) Social justice and empowerment
(b) Inclusive Growth
(c) Globalization
(d) Carrying capacity
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (2018)
Invasive Alien Species
26-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
A recent study estimates that the global economic cost of Invasive Alien Species (1960–2022) exceeds USD 2.2 trillion, with management costs underreported up to 16 times.
- For India, the study highlights a hidden cost discrepancy of 1.16 billions of times higher than reported figures indicating gross underestimation of financial and administrative measures to manage invasive species.
What are Invasive Alien Species?
- About: Invasive Alien Species are non-native organisms (plants, animals, fungi, or even microbes) introduced beyond their natural range, forming self-sustaining populations.
- They outcompete native species, disrupt ecosystems, and cause significant ecological, economic, and social impacts.
- According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), IAS are species that can “arrive, survive, and thrive”, often outcompeting native species for resources.
- In India, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 defines IAS as non-native species that threaten wildlife or habitats.
- Key Invasive Alien Species in India: Animal species like African catfish, Nile tilapia, red-bellied piranha, alligator gar, Red-eared Slider (a North American turtle) and plants like Lantana, Water Hyacinth, and Prosopis juliflora, are among the most widespread invasive species in India.
- Factors Responsible for the Rise of Invasive Alien Species:
- Globalisation-Linked Dispersal: Increased trade and travel facilitate unintentional spread of species via cargo, ballast water, and transport vehicles.
- For instance, the Black Rat, introduced to Australia in the 1800s, is listed among the “World’s Worst” invasive species by the IUCN.
- Also, the Zebra mussel, native to Eurasia, was introduced to the Great Lakes of North America via the ballast water of cargo ships.
- Climate-Driven Proliferation: Changes in temperature and precipitation create favourable conditions for invasive species and disrupt native species’ life cycles, making them vulnerable to competition and predation.
- Eg: Warmer conditions accelerate spread of invasive insects, cinnamon fungus, and aquatic species (fish, mollusks), intensifying competition and predation on native species.
- Habitat Disturbance and Degradation: Human activities that disturb or degrade natural ecosystems, like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture, can create opportunities for invasive species to colonize.
- Eg: Parthenium hysterophorus, commonly known as carrot grass, thrives in disturbed habitats like roadsides and agricultural fields. Its presence is often a sign of environmental degradation.
- Human Introduction of Exotic Species: Across the world, many invasive alien species have been deliberately introduced by humans for purposes such as ornamental gardening, landscaping, aquaculture, or pest control.
- However, these introductions often backfire, as species escape into the wild and outcompete native biodiversity.
- For instance, Water hyacinth or "Terror of Bengal" was introduced in India because of its beautiful foliage and flowers.
What are the Key Impacts of Invasive Alien Species?
- Ecological Impact: Globally, Invasive Alien Species are one of the 5 major direct drivers of biodiversity loss.
- They cause the decline or extinction of native species through competition, predation, or disease, disrupting ecosystem functions and leading to ecological imbalance and habitat loss.
- Eg: Brown tree snake, accidentally introduced to Guam after World War II, has caused significant ecological damage, leading to the extirpation (local extinction) of many native forest bird species.
- Economic Impact: They impose substantial financial burdens on countries and sectors worldwide, affecting livelihoods in developing countries by impacting agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
- Among Invasive Alien Species, plants are the most economically damaging, with management costs of USD 926.38 billion, followed by arthropods and mammals.
- Aquatic species like Water Hyacinth in Lake Victoria have led to tilapia depletion, impacting local fisheries.
- Europe incurs the highest absolute costs (71.45% of global expenditure) due to higher agricultural values and management expenses.
- Health Impact: Invasive Alien Species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti transmit malaria, Zika, and West Nile Fever, affecting human health.
- Many Invasive Alien Species are allergenic or toxic, e.g., Parthenium causes respiratory disorders and skin allergies.
- Also, crop contamination by invasive weeds also introduces toxic alkaloids into food chains, impacting long-term health.
- Threat Multiplier: IAS like Lantana alter fire regimes, displace native flora, reduce carbon sequestration, and weaken climate regulation.
- Climate change accelerates their spread, making them a threat multiplier that undermines ecosystem resilience and adaptation capacity.
What are the Initiatives Related to the Management of Invasive Alien Species?
- Global
- India-Specific Initiatives:
What are the Core Challenges Confronting India in Tackling Invasive Alien Species and the Measures Required?
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Challenges
|
Way Forward / Management Strategies
|
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Underreporting & Lack of Data: Limited centralised databases and fragmented reporting lead to underestimation of ecological and economic costs.
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Strengthening Data & Monitoring Systems: Establish a centralised database for invasive species, strengthen data collection, monitoring, scientific documentation, and expenditure tracking.
|
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Resource Constraints: Limited financial and human resources hinder effective surveillance, control, and eradication.
|
Allocating Dedicated Resources: Allocate dedicated funding and enhance human resources, ensure surveillance, control, and eradication programs are adequately supported
|
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High Eradication Costs: Large-scale removal of invasive species (e.g., Lantana, Prosopis) requires huge financial and human resources.
|
Community-Centric Solutions: Adopt cost-effective biological control methods; promote community participation in eradication drives.
- For instance, the Kadar tribe of Vazhachal, Kerala, has taken on active restoration of natural forests degraded by invasive alien species.
|
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Policy Gaps: Fragmented coverage under Biodiversity Act, 2002, Wildlife Protection Act, and Plant Quarantine Rules. Weak enforcement of existing biosecurity norms
|
Institutional and Policy Fortification:
Ensure effective operationalisation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 through stricter enforcement, robust institutional coordination, and integration with sectoral policies.
- Enhance coordination among MoEFCC, State Forest Departments, agricultural universities, and research bodies.
- Mainstream invasive species management into National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and related biodiversity policies.
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Conclusion:
Mitigating Invasive Alien Species requires the three I’s – strong Institutions for enforcement, Integration with biodiversity–climate strategies, and Involvement of communities for sustainable action. Together, these pillars can balance ecological resilience with economic growth.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
What are the challenges in managing invasive species and suggest strategies and initiatives to mitigate their adverse effects?
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)
- IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
- IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
- CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Mains:
Q. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (2018)
Fertilizer Sector in India
26-08-2025
Source: FE
Why in News?
A parliamentary committee has urged the government to reclassify the fertilizer sector as ‘strategic’, criticizing its current ‘non-strategic’ status as inconsistent with India’s self-reliance goals under Atmanirbhar Bharat, especially in light of growing import dependency and food security concerns.
What are the Parliamentary Committee Observations and Recommendations on the Fertilizer Sector?
Observations
- Link to Food Security: Fertilizers are crucial for agricultural productivity and food sovereignty. The panel noted that India’s high import dependence (25% for urea, 90% for phosphates, and 100% for potash) makes strengthening fertilizer PSUs essential for domestic production, price stability, disaster resilience, and long-term food security.
- Low PSU Market Share: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) contribute only ~25% of urea and ~11% of non-urea fertilizer production.
- The private sector dominates the industry, contributing over 57% of total production (2023–24).
- The panel noted that PSUs serve as price stabilizers, particularly for small and marginal farmers through government-subsidized distribution, underscoring the need to treat the fertilizer sector as strategic.
Recommendations
- Policy Support: Classify the sector as ‘strategic’ to attract sustained investment and ensure alignment with Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.
- Revitalizing Fertilizer PSUs: Launch a dedicated mission to upgrade technology, diversify products, and adopt sustainable practices in public sector units.
- The committee noted that revived fertilizer PSUs have achieved a successful turnaround, with the reopening of closed units contributing 7.62 MT to annual urea production.
How Integral are Fertilizers to India's Agriculture and Economy?
- Agriculture’s Economic Footprint: Agriculture and allied sectors contribute nearly 16% to GDP and support over 46% of India’s population, forming a foundational pillar for economic livelihood.
- Fertilizer Production and Consumption Trends: India is the second-largest user and third-largest producer of fertilizers globally.
- The total Fertilizer production has increased from 385.39 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) in 2014–15 to 503.35 LMT in 2023–24.
- In 2023–24, fertilizer production was led by the private sector (57.77%), followed by cooperatives (24.81%) and the public sector (17.43%).
- Import Dependency: In 2023–24, India consumed 601 LMT of fertilizers, producing 503 LMT domestically and importing 177 LMT.
- Self-sufficiency reached 87% for urea, 90% for NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), but only 40% for DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate), while Muriate of Potash (MOP) remains 100% imported.
How is India’s Fertilizer Sector Evolving Towards Sustainability and Self-Reliance?
- Brand Unification under ONOF: The One Nation One Fertilizer (ONOF) initiative standardizes branding across subsidized fertilizers like ‘Bharat Urea’, ‘Bharat DAP’, etc. to eliminate confusion and ensure uniform quality and government support.
- Sustainable Fertilizer Practices:
- Nano‑fertilizers (nano urea, nano DAP): Nutrients encapsulated in tiny particles, releasing slowly into the soil for better plant absorption and minimal wastage..
- Neem-Coated Urea (NCU): Improves nitrogen efficiency, requiring ~10% less urea to achieve comparable results, minimizing losses and enhancing soil health.
- PM‑PRANAM Scheme: Encourages reduced chemical fertilizer use, promoting organic alternatives, with state incentives linked to performance.
- Bio-fertilizers & Soil Health Card Scheme: Emphasize balanced nutrient input and tailored soil management through diagnostics and farmer guidance.
- Technological & Digital Infrastructure:
- iFMS (Integrated Fertilizer Management System): Enables real-time tracking of fertilizer movement from production to retail.
- mFMS (Mobile FMS): Facilitates dealer registration, stock monitoring, and supports DBT through MIS dashboards accessible via mobile.
What are the Challenges in Categorizing the Fertilizer Sector as ‘Strategic’?
- Global Integration and Supply Diversification: India has secured long-term DAP supply agreements with Saudi Arabia and Morocco, reducing the pressure to maintain large strategic production reserves.
- Technological Obsolescence: Older PSU plants suffer from low efficiency, high input costs, and require heavy capital for modernization.
- This raises doubts about whether strategic status would yield productivity gains without major reform.
- Some PSUs continue to operate at sub-optimal capacity due to raw material constraints, pricing mismatches, or outdated technology—further weakening the strategic case.
- Policy Inconsistency and Sectoral Ambiguity: The contradiction between treating fertilizers as essential to food security (by the Agriculture Ministry) versus a non-strategic commercial sector (by DIPAM) reflects policy incoherence.
- This makes inter-ministerial consensus difficult and slows reform momentum.
How can India Make its fertilizer Sector Self-Reliant?
- Boost Domestic Production: Under New Investment Policy (NIP) 2012 ensure existing units operate profitably and revive closed plants to reduce import dependence.
- Innovation & Sustainability: Invest in research and development for new fertilizer formulations, eco-friendly production, and efficient resource use.
- Promote Public-Private Collaboration: Encourage partnerships for innovation, investment, and increased production capacity.
- Regional Manufacturing Hubs: Establish fertilizer clusters near key agricultural zones to cut logistics costs and ensure quicker distribution.
- Financial Incentives: Introduce a PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme for nano-fertilizer production to incentivize manufacturers and accelerate adoption.
- Integrate nano-fertilizers into national nutrient management programs to complement conventional fertilizers and reduce import dependence.

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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Critically examine the need to classify the fertilizer sector as strategic in the context of India’s food security and Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: (2020)
- At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
- Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
- Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q. Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture? (2016)
(a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms.
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil.
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields.
(d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops.
Ans: (b)
Progress on India’s Climate Targets
26-07-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
India has made remarkable progress on its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement 2015, achieving one of its major targets five years ahead of schedule and nearing completion on the other two.

Note: The Paris Agreement (2015), adopted at COP21, set the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C. COP26 (Glasgow, 2021) served as a key milestone to review and enhance Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), reinforcing the Paris Agreement's implementation.
What is the Status of India’s Climate Commitments?
- Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity: India achieved its non-fossil fuel capacity target in 2024—five years ahead of schedule (2030)—with 242.78 GW (around 50%) of its 484.82 GW total installed capacity from non-fossil sources (solar, wind, hydro, nuclear).
- Carbon Sink: India had pledged to create an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes of carbon sink through forests and tree cover.
- By 2021, it had already achieved 2.29 billion tonnes, and with a yearly increase of around 150 million tonnes (2017–2021), the total likely crossed 2.5 billion tonnes by 2023.
- Emissions Intensity: India pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, and had already achieved a 36% reduction by 2020.
- Despite limited recent data, current trends suggest India is on track to comfortably meet or exceed this target.
India’s Initiatives to Achieve Climate Targets
What Concerns are Associated with India’s Climate Targets?
- Capacity vs Generation Gap: India achieved 50% non-fossil installed capacity in 2024, but only 28% of electricity generated comes from non-fossil sources.
- Moreover, just approx 6% of total energy consumption is clean, as fossil fuels still dominate sectors like industry, transport, and households.
- Heavy Reliance on Solar Energy: In 2024, India set a record by installing 30 GW of renewable energy, with solar alone contributing nearly 24 GW.
- However, wind, hydro, and nuclear sectors continue to grow at a sluggish pace due to land acquisition issues, policy delays, and financial hurdles, while China is scaling up renewables ten times faster (in the past 2 years).
- India’s nuclear capacity is expected to reach just 17 GW by 2030 against 100 GW target by 2047(the Union Budget 2025-26).
- Sustainability Concerns on Carbon Sink: Concerns persist about the share of natural forests vs monoculture plantations, their ecological impact, and whether gains can be maintained amid urbanisation and land use pressures.
- Emissions Intensity Reduction: The lack of reliable emissions data after 2020 hampers efforts to monitor progress and adjust policies in real time.
- Despite being on track to meet intensity targets, continued fossil fuel dependence in key sectors could lead to rising absolute emissions without a clear roadmap for hard-to-abate industries (e.g., steel, cement).
- Climate Finance Shortfalls: India has repeatedly flagged the shortfall in climate finance and technology transfer from developed nations, despite their Paris Agreement commitments.
- Many wealthy countries have missed emission reduction targets and under-delivered on the USD 100 billion annual climate finance pledge.
What Steps can be Taken to Further India’s Climate Target Goals?
- Bridging Capacity-Generation Gap: India must scale up battery storage technologies like lithium-ion, and sodium-ion batteries to handle solar and wind intermittency.
- Additionally, modernizing transmission networks and deploying smart grids with demand-response systems is crucial for efficient renewable integration and supply-demand balancing.
- Diversifying Beyond Solar: India should fast-track wind and hydro projects by easing land and clearance hurdles and reviving stalled hydropower through better financing and community support.
- Sustainable Carbon Sink Growth: Use satellite technologies like Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing to monitor deforestation and afforestation, while promoting mixed native species over monoculture for better carbon sequestration.
- Securing Climate Finance: India should advocate for developed countries to fulfill their commitment to providing USD 300 billion annually by 2035 in climate finance for developing nations, as agreed at UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, and stress the importance of prioritizing grants over loans for clean energy projects.
- Simultaneously, it must attract private and foreign investment through incentives, while boosting indigenous R&D and international tech collaborations in clean technologies.
Conclusion
India has made significant progress on its climate targets, achieving key milestones ahead of schedule. However, structural challenges in generation, sectoral emissions, finance, and forest sustainability persist. Addressing these will require robust policy action, financial support, and technological innovation to ensure long-term climate resilience and equitable energy transition.
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Drishti Mains Question:
India has achieved its non-fossil fuel capacity target ahead of schedule. Critically examine the challenges that still hinder a full energy transition.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question:
Prelims
Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)
- The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
- The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
- The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Q. With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2017)
- It is an initiative of the European Union.
- It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
- It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q.1 Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)
Q.2 ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (2017)
India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
26-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Gujarat has launched India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to map the genetic profile of tribal populations.
Gujarat’s Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
- Aim: It aims to identify genetic health risks like Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia and provide precision healthcare tailored to the needs of tribal populations.
- It seeks to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and tribal traditions, fostering a healthier future for these communities.
- Implementation: Managed by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC).
- Scope: The genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts will be sequenced.
Genome Sequencing
- About: It is the process of determining the exact order of nucleotide bases (A, C, G, T) in an individual’s DNA.
- It reveals a person's genetic makeup, providing insights into traits, health risks, and potential disorders.
- Types:
- Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) maps the entire DNA sequence for comprehensive genetic information.
- Partial Genome Sequencing focuses on specific genome parts.
- Targeted Gene Sequencing sequences specific genes.
- Applications:
- Helps identify disease-causing mutations, understand the genetic basis of diseases, and discover new drug targets.
- Enables personalised medicine by predicting individual responses to drugs, allowing for optimized drug selection.
- Used in crop improvement to identify genes linked to disease resistance, high yield, and better nutrition, aiding the development of improved crop varieties.

MSC Certification for Chilka Lake’s Mud Crab Fishery
26-06-2025
To boost India’s inland fisheries, a joint initiative led by ICAR-CIFRI (Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute) and Chilika Development Authority (CDA) aims to secure Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for Chilika Lake’s mud crab fishery.

MSC Certification
- The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organisation promoting sustainable fishing through its eco-label and certification programme.
- MSC certification is a globally recognised eco-label for wild-capture fisheries that ensure sustainable fish stocks, low environmental impact, and adaptive, effective management. It promotes responsible fishing to secure healthy oceans and sustainable seafood for future generations.
- The certification enhances export value, supports biodiversity conservation, and ensures livelihood security.
- The Chilika mud crab is India’s first inland fishery nominated for MSC’s sustainability certification.
State of India’s Fisheries Sector
- India is the second-largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global output and 4% in global fisheries exports. It ranks second in aquaculture, first in shrimp production, and third in capture fisheries.
- Inland fisheries account for over 75% of total production.
- Key fish-producing states include Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka.
- Government's Initiatives:
AWS Outage and the Risks of Cloud Centralisation
25-10-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
A recent outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) disrupted over 1,000 global online services, including messaging apps and government portals, highlighting the risks of centralised cloud providers.
What is Amazon Web Services (AWS)?
- About: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the cloud computing division of Amazon, launched in 2006. It provides on-demand IT infrastructure such as computing power, data storage, databases, analytics, and networking tools.
- Instead of maintaining their own physical servers, companies rent computing resources from AWS data centres located across the world.
- It follows a “pay-as-you-go” model, offering scalability and cost efficiency.
- Significance of AWS: AWS is the world’s largest cloud provider, ahead of Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
- Many critical applications, financial systems, and digital services rely on AWS for hosting and data management, any failure in AWS can lead to widespread service disruptions, affecting communication, finance, governance, and entertainment sectors simultaneously.
- Causes of AWS Outage: AWS identified a Domain Name System(DNS) resolution failure in its DynamoDB service endpoints hosted in its North Virginia data center as the primary cause.
- The DNS acts like the Internet’s address book, converting website names into IP addresses that computers use to find and connect to servers.
- If this system fails, browsers can’t locate the right server, leading to websites or apps becoming slow, inaccessible, or showing error messages.
- DynamoDB service endpoints are connection points to AWS’s database.
- The DNS issue blocked access to these endpoints, disrupting many apps and services globally.
What is Cloud Computing?
- Definition: Cloud computing is a model for delivering information technology services where computing resources such as storage, processing power, databases, and applications are provided over the Internet instead of being hosted on local servers.
- Users can access these resources on-demand, without owning or managing the physical infrastructure.
- Cloud Computing Models:
|
Model
|
Definition
|
Example
|
|
SaaS (Software as a Service)
|
Software delivered over the Internet; no installation or maintenance required.
|
Google Docs, Hotmail, Microsoft Office 365
|
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PaaS (Platform as a Service)
|
Platform for developers to build, deploy, and manage apps without managing underlying hardware or OS.
|
Google App Engine
|
|
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
|
Virtualized computing resources (servers, storage, networking) provided on-demand.
|
Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure
|
|
XaaS (Anything/Everything as a Service)
|
Comprehensive model combining multiple cloud services, including software, platforms, and infrastructure.
|
Cloud service bundles from major providers
|
|
FaaS (Function as a Service)
|
Event-driven serverless computing; runs code only when triggered, no server management required.
|
Google Cloud Functions
|
What is the Significance of Cloud Computing for India?
- Robust Digital Infrastructure: Cloud computing strengthens India’s IT backbone through National Data Centres (NDCs) and regional centres, supporting large-scale storage, disaster recovery, and high-performance computing.
- Boosting E-Governance: Platforms like MeghRaj and National Informatics Centre (NIC) Cloud Services enable fast deployment and management of government applications, making services efficient, scalable, and reliable.
- Cloud platforms like GovDrive and e-Office under the National E-Governance Plan ensure coordinated workflows, data security, and enable paperless administration.
- Financial and Social Inclusion: Digital identity (Aadhaar), payment systems (Unified Payments Interface (UPI)), and platforms like DigiLocker improve accessibility, transparency, and inclusion across socio-economic groups through Cloud services.
- Common Services Centres (CSCs) leverage cloud to provide 800+ government services to rural populations, bridging the digital divide.
- Accessible Public Services: Citizen-centric platforms such as UMANG, e-Hastakshar, and DIKSHA facilitate seamless delivery of education, health, and administrative services across India.
- Economic Growth and Innovation: Reduces infrastructure costs, supports startups and SMEs, and accelerates India’s digital economy by providing scalable and on-demand IT resources.
- Global Leadership: India’s cloud-enabled initiatives, including National Knowledge Network (NKN) and India Stack, showcase digital solutions that can be adopted by other nations, especially in the Global South, positioning India as a leader in scalable digital services.
How does Cloud Centralisation Risk Digital Sovereignty and Resilience?
- Systemic Risk to Critical Infrastructure: Centralised clouds host essential services like banking, healthcare, and government portals. Any failure can disrupt national operations and public services
- Digital Sovereignty Concerns: Over-reliance on foreign cloud providers risks control over sensitive national data, affecting policy autonomy and strategic decision-making.
- Barrier to Innovation for Smaller Players: Dominance of a few providers can stifle local tech ecosystems and reduce opportunities for startups or domestic cloud alternatives.
- Geopolitical Vulnerabilities: Outages or policy changes by global providers can impact countries differently, making them susceptible to external pressures or sanctions.
- Hidden Economic Dependencies: Cloud providers’ pricing power and market control can increase operational costs for businesses and governments, creating indirect economic risks.
What Measures India can Take to Build Resilient Cloud Infrastructure?
- Multi-Cloud Adoption: Government agencies should expand implementation of multi-cloud strategies to avoid over-dependence on a single provider, reducing systemic risks.
- Mandate replication, backup, and failover mechanisms for all government cloud workloads to ensure continuity during outages.
- Domestic Data Centres: Promote the expansion of Tier-II and Tier-III domestic data centres to ensure regional redundancy and local control.
- Data Localisation & Sovereignty: Enforce data localisation norms for sensitive government and citizen data to prevent exposure to foreign jurisdiction risks.
- Strengthening MeghRaj & NIC Cloud: Expand National Cloud capacity to support critical public services and e-governance platforms like DigiLocker, e-Office, and GovDrive.
- Skill Development & Capacity Building: Train cloud administrators in resilient architecture, threat mitigation, and disaster recovery planning.
Conclusion
Cloud computing powers India’s digital services, but outages like AWS show the risks of centralization. Multi-cloud strategies, domestic data centres, and skilled workforce are key for resilient infrastructure.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Evaluate the challenges and risks associated with centralised cloud providers for critical national infrastructure.
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is cloud computing?
Delivery of IT resources (storage, computing, apps) over the internet without managing physical servers.
2. What is MeghRaj and its significance in India?
MeghRaj is India’s national cloud initiative providing scalable Information and Communication Technology services to government departments, enhancing e-governance and efficient service delivery.
3. How does cloud computing contribute to financial and social inclusion in India?
Platforms like Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker leverage cloud services to provide accessible, transparent, and scalable services across socio-economic groups.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. With reference to "Software as a Service (SaaS)", consider the following statements: (2022)
- SaaS buyers can customise the user interface and can change data fields.
- SaaS users can access their data through their mobile devices.
- Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are forms of SaaS.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: D
International Snow Leopard Day
25-10-2025
Source: PIB
India marked International Snow Leopard Day with the ‘#23for23’ campaign to raise awareness about snow leopard conservation.
- In 2024, the United Nations designated 23rd October as International Snow Leopard Day to promote cooperation for snow leopard conservation and ecosystem protection.
- #23for23: The campaign, initiated by the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) and the Snow Leopard Trust worldwide, to dedicate 23 minutes of physical activity for honouring the snow leopard.
- Snow Leopard: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), often called the ‘ghost of the mountains’, is an elusive big cat found across high mountain regions of Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and several Central Asian countries.
- It is ecologically significant and listed under Appendix I of CITES, and Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
- It is classified as Vulnerable by IUCN (2017), the species faces major threats from habitat loss, prey depletion, poaching, illegal trade, and climate change.
- They are solitary animals, prefer elevations between 3,000 to 4,500 meters. They breed seasonally, with a gestation period of 90-100 days.
- Despite being called the snow 'leopard', they're genetically more closely related to tigers than they are leopards.
- India’s Conservation Measures: The Snow Leopard Population Assessment (SPAI) reports 718 snow leopards in India, with 477 in Ladakh, marking the first scientific population survey in the Indian Himalayas.
- It is listed as Schedule I species as per Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Read more: Snow Leopard
https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/
25-09-2025
Source: HT
Why in News?
The Production Gap 2025 report reveals that countries plan to produce more fossil fuels in 2030 than required to limit global warming to 1.5°C (Paris Agreement). It highlights that production plans have increased since 2023, widening the gap between current policies and the actions needed to meet climate goals.
The Production Gap Report 2025
- It is published by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Climate Analytics, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and backed by the UN.
- It tracks the discrepancy between governments’ planned fossil fuel production and global production levels needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.
- 2025 Edition marks the fifth edition of the report, which was first released in 2019. This edition updates the analysis presented in the 2023 report.
What are the Key Findings of the Production Gap Report 2025?
- Rising Coal Demand: Coal continues to be the most misaligned, with projected global output in 2030 being 500% higher than what the 1.5°C pathway allows.
- India launched the Coal Gasification Mission in 2020, aiming to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030.
- Coal gasification is a thermo-chemical process that converts coal into synthesis gas or "syngas", primarily consisting of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
- Rise in Fossil Fuel Production: Planned fossil fuel production in 2030 is set to surpass levels required to limit warming to 1.5°C by over 120% and to 2°C by 77%.
- Governments plan higher coal production to 2035 and gas production to 2050 than in 2023. Oil production is also projected to increase to 2050.
- In 2023, the government provided Rs 726 billion in oil and gas subsidies and aims to increase gas's share in the energy mix from 6.2% to 15% by 2030.
- Major Contributors: China, the US, and Russia accounted for over half of global extraction-based emissions from fossil fuels in 2022, while 20 major producers contributed around 80% of global production.
- Limited Alignment with Climate Targets: Among 20 major producers, 17 plan to increase at least one fossil fuel by 2030, and 11 countries (including China, India, US, Germany) plan higher production than in 2023.
- Only 6 countries are aligning fossil fuel production with net-zero targets (up from 4 in 2023).
How can India Balance Fossil Fuel Production with Renewable Energy?
Mnemonic: GRIDS
- G - Grid Infrastructure Modernization: Invest in energy storage (batteries, pumped hydro) and green energy corridors to store and transmit solar and wind power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- R - Reskill Workers: Reskill coal sector workers in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha and repurpose former mining areas for solar parks or industrial uses to support a socially acceptable energy transition.
- I - Increase Energy Efficiency: Enforce strict energy efficiency standards and promote demand response programs to reduce overall energy demand and balance the grid with abundant solar power. E.g., Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme.
- D - Develop Natural Gas as a Bridge Fuel: Increase the natural gas share from 6.2% to 15% by 2030, leveraging flexible gas plants that emit 50% less CO₂ than coal to support renewables and reduce emissions.
- S - Sustainability through Policy Integration: Align fossil fuel reduction targets with renewable energy goals using carbon pricing, renewable subsidies, and phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.

India’s Initiatives to Reduce Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Conclusion
The Production Gap Report 2025 reveals a dangerous contradiction: despite climate commitments, countries are expanding fossil fuel production, prioritizing short-term energy security and economic growth. This path undermines the Paris Agreement, locks in catastrophic warming, and necessitates an urgent, equitable global transition to clean energy.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the reasons behind continued expansion of fossil fuel production despite the Paris Agreement commitments.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2016)
(a) pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East
(b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
(c) capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals
Answer: (b)
Q. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
- The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
- The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Mains
Q1. Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (2022)
Q2. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)
India’s Roadmap for Fusion Power
25-09-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, proposes a roadmap for India’s fusion power, focusing on the development of the Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat) reactor, marking a major step in India’s energy strategy.
What is Fusion?
- About: Fusion is the process where two small, light atoms (like hydrogen isotopes) come together to form a bigger, heavier atom, releasing vast amounts of energy. This is the energy process that powers the Sun and stars.
- For example, in the Sun, hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium and release energy in the form of light and heat.
- Energy Release: The fusion of nuclei releases energy because the fused product has less mass than the sum of the individual atoms. This "lost" mass, known as the mass defect, is converted into energy according to Einstein's theory of special relativity (E=mc²).

- Conditions for Fusion:
- High Temperature: Around 100 million°C.
- High Pressure: Forces atoms nuclei close enough to fuse.
- Plasma: The material is in a high-energy state where atoms are broken into ions and electrons.
- Tokamaks: A tokamak is a fusion reactor that uses magnetic fields to confine and control plasma within a doughnut-shaped vessel. Its effectiveness is measured by how long it can hold the plasma without dissipation.
- Longer confinement times bring reactors closer to achieving continuous and reliable fusion reactions.
- Q Value (Energy Gain Factor): The Q value measures the efficiency of a fusion reactor.
- It is the ratio of output energy to input energy. A Q value > 1 means the reactor produces more energy than it consumes.
- Fusion vs Fission: Fission is the process used in nuclear reactors. In fission, a heavy nucleus (like uranium) splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.
- Fusion, on the other hand, combines lighter nuclei to release energy. Fusion produces much less radioactive waste than fission, making it a more attractive option for clean energy.

What is India’s Roadmap for Fusion Power?
- India’s Current Fusion Capabilities: India’s Steady State Superconducting Tokamak (SST-1) at IPR has achieved plasma confinement for 650 milliseconds (and it’s designed to go up to 16 minutes), however it is not designed for electricity generation but serves as an experimental base.
- SST-Bharat: SST-Bharat is planned as the next step beyond experiments, aimed at producing actual electricity.
- The SST-Bharat Vision aims to initially build a 130 MW fusion-fission hybrid reactor with a Q value of 5.
- The team plans to commission a full-scale demonstration reactor by 2060, targeting an ambitious output-to-input power ratio (Q) of 20 and generating 250 MW.
- Technology Measures:
- Digital twins: Virtual replicas of tokamaks to simulate conditions and test designs.
- Machine learning: Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning helps in predicting and managing plasma behavior, crucial for better plasma confinement.
- Development of Radiation-Resistant Materials: Focus on designing materials that can withstand the extreme radiation levels in fusion reactors.
- Superconducting Magnets: Research into high-performance superconducting magnets to create stronger magnetic fields for better plasma confinement.
Global Advances in Fusion Power
- United Kingdom: UK STEP programme aims for a prototype fusion power plant by 2040.
- US: Several private firms claim they will deliver grid-connected fusion power in the 2030s.
- China: China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) tokamak has already set records for plasma holding duration (for about 1,066 seconds).
What are the Challenges for India’s Roadmap for Fusion Power?
- High Costs: Fusion research requires significant investment in advanced technology, infrastructure, and reactors, putting pressure on India’s public-sector budget.
- Long Development Timeline: India’s target of 2060 for a fusion reactor is slower compared to global efforts, making the path to commercialization longer.
- Countries like China and the US are progressing faster with fusion, putting pressure on India to keep pace.
- Limited Private Sector Involvement: Unlike the US and EU, India’s private sector plays a smaller role in fusion research, slowing innovation and progress.
- Technological Hurdles: Challenges include plasma containment, achieving the necessary energy gain (Q value), and developing radiation-resistant materials, which complicate fusion’s realization.
- Competition with Other Energy Sources: Fusion competes with solar, wind, and nuclear fission, while India’s broader energy commitments, such as net-zero by 2070, may divert focus.
- Uncertain Commercial Viability: Even if fusion succeeds, its cost-effectiveness compared to existing energy sources remains uncertain.
How can India Ensure Strategic Gains from Investing in Fusion Power R&D?
- Policy and Funding Support: Allocate long-term, mission-mode funding, akin to ISRO or nuclear fission missions.
- Involve private-sector partnerships, especially in advanced materials, AI, and digital simulations.
- Global Collaborations: Expand engagements beyond ITER, include bilateral partnerships with fusion labs in the US, UK, and EU.
- Participate in international fusion data sharing initiatives and joint training of Indian scientists.
- Realistic Targeting: Fusion energy should be seen as a strategic R&D frontier, not a near-term energy source.
- Align milestones with global benchmarks but prioritize indigenous innovation and technology localization.
- Leveraging Fusion R&D for Broader Advancements: Use fusion research to enhance capabilities in superconducting materials, radiation shielding, plasma control, and AI-driven simulations.
- Strengthen India’s independence in key sectors like defense and space technology through innovations from fusion research.
Conclusion
India’s fusion roadmap is ambitious but cautious, aiming for a 2060 demonstration plant while the UK, US, and China target earlier prototypes. Though costly and uncertain, it could yield valuable technological and strategic gains for India’s energy future.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Fusion power is often described as the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy. Critically analyze the opportunities and challenges of adopting fusion in India’s energy mix.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to (2011)
(a) Slow down the speed of neutrons
(b) Increase the speed of neutrons
(c) Cool down the reactor
(d) Stop the nuclear reaction
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (2018)
India's Tea Industry
25-09-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
According to the Executive Director of the International Tea Committee, India has the potential to become a global tea superpower, supported by its strong production capacity, large consumption base, and growing export opportunities.
Current Status of India’s Tea Market
- Major Producers: India ranks as the 2nd largest producer and consumer of tea and the 3rd largest exporter. Kenya, the top exporter, ships nearly all its output, while China is the 2nd largest exporter.
- Tea Producing Regions: In India, major tea growing states are Assam (Assam valley and Cachar), West Bengal (Dooars, Terai and Darjeeling), Tamil Nadu and Kerala that account for about 96% of the total tea production.
- Consumption: India is a top tea-consuming country, using 80% of its production domestically, with a per capita consumption of 840 gm/year (Highest: Turkey, 3 kg/year).
- Exports: India exports tea to over 25 countries, with major importers including Russia, Iran, UAE, USA, UK, Germany, and China.
- About 96% of India’s tea exports is black tea, with other exported types including regular, green, herbal, masala, and lemon tea.

What are the Key Facts Regarding Tea?
- About: Tea is a beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant and is the world’s most consumed drink after water.
- Tea Board of India: Established under the Tea Act of 1953, it is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce with its head office in Kolkata and overseas offices in London, Dubai, and Moscow.
- Provides financial and technical support for the cultivation, production, and marketing of tea.
- Growth Conditions:
- Climate: Tea is a tropical and sub-tropical crop that thrives in hot, humid conditions.
- Temperature: It grows best between 20°–30°C, while temperatures above 35°C or below 10°C can damage the plant.
- Rainfall: Requires 150–300 cm of well-distributed rainfall annually.
- Soil: Prefers slightly acidic, calcium-free soil with a porous sub-soil to allow free water percolation.
- Factors Contributing to the Crisis in Industry:
- Weather-Driven Decline: Extreme heat in May 2024 followed by flooding in Assam cut India’s tea production by 30% to 90.92 million kg, its lowest in over a decade.
- Supply-Demand Imbalance: There is a growing gap between the demand for tea and its supply, creating further pressure on the industry.
- Stagnant Prices: Assam, which accounts for 55% of India’s tea production, has been particularly affected by stagnant prices.
Intense Competition: India is facing stiff competition from other major tea-producing countries like Kenya.
- Rising Input Costs: Over the past decade, the costs of essential inputs have increased by 9-15%, while tea prices have only risen by 4%.
- The ban on 20 pesticides raised tea prices due to costly alternatives further straining the profitability of the sector.
How can India Ensure the Sustainability of its Tea Industry?
- Shift to Quality & Value Addition: Promote GI-tagged, specialty, and branded teas for better export prices.
- Diversify Export Markets: Target South America, Middle East, and Africa to reduce reliance on volatile markets.
- Boost Domestic Consumption: Increase per capita intake through marketing, ready-to-drink (RTD), flavored, and wellness teas.
- Improve Farm-Gate Value: Ensure small growers receive a fairer share via direct markets, Farmer Producer Organizations, (FPOs), and transparent auctions.
- Learning from Other Countries: Equip farmers to produce high-quality, sustainable tea; Kenya’s Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) provide hands-on training in planting, fine-plucking, and certification preparation.
Conclusion
The Indian tea industry stands at a crossroads, balancing its global potential against severe challenges like climate vulnerability and low value realization. Achieving sustainable profitability requires a strategic shift from volume to quality, empowering small growers, and innovating for both export and domestic markets.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Examine the current status and challenges of India’s tea industry and suggest measures for its sustainability.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements: (2022)
- The Tea Board is a statutory body.
- It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- The Tea Board's Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
- The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain. (2014)
Green Hydrogen
25-08-2025
Source: DTE
Why in News?
A new report has positioned India as a potential global leader in the green hydrogen economy, with the capacity to capture 10% of the worldwide market and export 10 million tonnes annually by 2030.
What is Green Hydrogen (GH2)?
- About: Green Hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced through electrolysis, where renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydro are used to split water molecules (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂).
- It can also be produced via biomass gasification, a process that converts biomass into hydrogen-rich gas.
- Applications: Its uses include a wide range of applications such as Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), aviation and maritime transport, and various industrial sectors like fertilizers, refineries, and steel.
- It also holds potential in road and rail transport, shipping, and power generation.
- India’s Green Hydrogen Ambitions: Through policies like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme, and development of Green Hydrogen Hubs at Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin, India MAPS its Green Hydrogen Ambitions as follows:
- M – Market Leadership: Capture 10% of the global GH2 market by 2030, projected to cross 100 MMT.
- A – Abatement of Emissions: Enable ~50 MMT CO₂ reduction annually, aligning with India’s NDC and net-zero goals.
- P – Powering Production: Develop 5 MMT per annum of GH2 production capacity by 2030.
- E – Employment Creation: Generate 6 lakh+ green jobs across the GH2 value chain, from R&D to production, storage, and export.
- Other Types of Hydrogen:
What are the Key Challenges in India’s Green Hydrogen Ecosystem?
India’s Green Hydrogen journey is hindered by a CAGE that restricts its scaling potential:
C – Cost Barrier: Early-stage Green Hydrogen costs nearly $4–4.5/kg, much higher than grey hydrogen, limiting competitiveness.
A – Access to Capital: High upfront investments in electrolysers and renewable capacity deter private players.
G – Gaps in Infrastructure: Lack of transport pipelines, storage, and refuelling networks slows adoption.
E – Economic Viability Issues: Delayed carbon pricing mechanism makes fossil fuel-based hydrogen artificially cheaper, undercutting Green Hydrogen.
What Measures can India Adopt to Boost Green Hydrogen Adoption?
To break free from the CAGE, India must step on the POWER pedal:
P – Pricing Carbon: Accelerating the introduction of a carbon tax/market mechanism to level the field with fossil fuels.
O – Obligation Mandates: Enforce Green Hydrogen Purchase Obligations in hard-to-abate sectors (steel, fertilisers, refining).
W – Widen Infrastructure Base: Build electrolyser capacity, storage, transport pipelines, and export corridors with partners like EU, Japan, S. Korea.
E – Economic Reallocation: Shift subsidies from fossil fuels to GH2, and provide tax incentives & viability gap funding.
R – Risk Pooling through Demand Aggregation: Create pooled procurement platforms with payment security mechanisms to ensure bankable contracts and competitive pricing.
Keywords for Mains
- “Hydrogen is the New Oil” – Fuel of the future.
- “Act Green, Trade Clean” – Export corridors for sustainable growth.
- “Sustainability is the Truest Dharma” – Green energy as ethical responsibility.
- “Green Hydrogen is India’s Tryst with Clean Destiny.”

Palmyra Palm Trees
25-08-2025
Source: DTE
Odisha has restricted the felling of Palmyra palm trees due to their ecological and social benefits.
Palmyra Palm Tree (Borassus flabellifer)
- About: It is indigenous to South and Southeast Asia, highly drought-resistant and recognised as the State Tree of Tamil Nadu.
- It is found mainly in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
- It is revered in Tamil culture as Karpaga Vruksham (“celestial tree that gives everything”), and its palm leaf manuscripts were vital in preserving Tamil language and literature for centuries.
- Ecological Role: Its fruits (tala) ripen in July–August, serving as food for elephants during lean seasons and reducing human-elephant conflicts, its tall structure acts as a natural lightning conductor, lowering monsoon fatalities.
- Its deep root system aids groundwater recharge, drought resilience, and soil erosion prevention along water bodies and coasts.
- Significance: Its fruit kernel (nungu) serves as a mineral-rich summer coolant, while palm sugar (panai karuppatti) & jaggery, and beverages like padaneer (sap) and toddy offer healthier traditional alternatives to modern products.
- Leaves support roofing, mats, and handicrafts, and its wood provides construction material and fuel.

Integrated Air Defence Weapon System Under Mission Sudarshan Chakra
25-08-2025
Source: IE
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the first flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), under Mission Sudarshan Chakra.
- Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Announced on the 79th Independence Day, it is a national security initiative that aims to develop an indigenous Iron Dome-like air defence system (with advanced technologies, and multi-layered defence systems) by 2035 to protect critical civil and defence infrastructure
- The mission aims to neutralize enemy attacks and enable swift counterstrikes, ensuring rapid, precise defence and strengthening India’s strategic autonomy.
- IADWS: It is an advanced, indigenous multi-layered air defence system with QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles), VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System), and DEW (Directed Energy Weapon) (a laser-based high-energy system).
- Controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre, IADWS ensures real-time detection and neutralization of targets like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and missiles.
- IADWS builds on India’s use of S-400, Barak-8, and Akash systems during Operation Sindoor to intercept Pakistani drones and missiles.
- Its successful flight tests mark a major step in strengthening India’s self-reliant and integrated air defence capabilities.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
25-08-2025
Source: TH
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has temporarily suspended voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from India after arrests of returnees in Sri Lanka.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- About: UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency, established in 1950 by the UN General Assembly to assist people displaced after World War II.
- It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland with operations in 137 countries.
- Legal Basis: Guided by the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol, which defines refugees and sets global standards for their rights and protection.
- Functions: It provides refugee protection, humanitarian aid, promotion of durable solutions (asylum, repatriation, integration, resettlement), and support to states in framing refugee policies under international law.
- 1951 Refugee Convention & 1967 Protocol
- About: It forms the foundation of international refugee law, defining a refugee as a person outside their home country, unable/unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution (based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group).
- Mandate: It upholds the core principle of non-refoulement, ensuring refugees are not returned to danger, while granting rights to housing, education, work, and legal protection.
- Refugees must respect host country laws, though those guilty of war crimes or serious crimes are excluded from protection.
- India and UNHCR: India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or 1967 Protocol. Refugees are managed under general immigration laws.
- Despite this, India has hosted major refugee groups- Sri Lankan Tamils, Tibetans, Afghans, Rohingyas and collaborates with UNHCR on humanitarian grounds.
Ensuring Balanced Industrial Distribution in India
25-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Standing Committee on Finance (SCoF) has urged the Government to develop an action plan to evenly distribute industries across all States to ensure balanced and equitable economic development.
- The Committee observed that while industry is a State subject, the Central Government’s role remains vital in shaping national industrial policy.
Key Observations & Recommendations of SCoF
- Key Observations:
- Stalled Disinvestment & PSE Policy: Despite the Dec 2021 policy to privatise/close loss-making CPSEs in non-strategic sectors for fiscal prudence, no proposals have been approved; disinvestment plans remain stagnant.
- Low Investment Rate vs Growth Needs: India’s investment rate is around 31% of GDP over the next decade.
- Weak State Incentives: While industry is a State subject, central initiatives are crucial, however, incentives for States to reform their PSUs have been underutilised and largely ineffective.
- Fiscal Stress of States: High indebtedness of many States constrains their ability to invest in infrastructure, industrial development, and balanced growth.
- Key Recommendations:
- Structural & Industrial Reforms: Fast-track disinvestment/closure of non-strategic, loss-making CPSEs, strengthen central incentive packages for State PSU reforms.
- Also prepare a national action plan to ensure balanced industrial growth, reducing regional disparities and promoting equitable development.
- Fiscal & Investment Strategy: Mobilise public & private investment to raise the investment rate to 35% of GDP (for sustaining 8% GDP growth) while introducing tailored fiscal reforms for highly indebted States that balance debt reduction with continued infrastructure & social sector investment.
What are the Key Factors Responsible for Uneven Industrial Growth?
- Historical Factors: Uneven industrial growth in India traces back to the British colonial era, which concentrated industries in select regions for strategic trade and port access.
- Eg: Jute was centred in Bengal (Kolkata) and cotton textiles in Maharashtra (Mumbai). Post-independence, this regional industrial imbalance persisted, leaving many areas underdeveloped.
- Geographical & Infrastructure Factors: Industrial growth is influenced by geography and infrastructure. Difficult terrains like the Himalayan states and North-East face poor connectivity, power shortages, and high setup costs, limiting large-scale industries.
- In contrast, coastal and plain regions like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra benefit from better infrastructure such as major ports (Mumbai, Kandla), highways, and industrial corridors, creating favourable conditions for industrial expansion and supporting their industrial leadership.
- Skilled Manpower Availability: Industrial clusters like Bengaluru (IT sector) and Chennai (automobiles) attract skilled workers supported by universities and technical institutes.
- States like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, with limited educational infrastructure and vocational training, struggle to grow skill-intensive industries.
- Policy & Planning Disparities: Industrial growth is influenced by targeted policy support. The Green Revolution benefited Punjab, Haryana, and western UP, fostering agro-industrial expansion, while eastern and central regions lagged.
- States with proactive industrial policies, like Tamil Nadu, attract industries, unlike those with less supportive frameworks.
- Agglomeration Effects: Industries tend to cluster to leverage scale economies, skilled suppliers, and logistics advantages, reinforcing regional disparities.
- Eg: Tamil Nadu’s automobile and electronics industries and Gujarat’s textile clusters. Peripheral states like Odisha and Assam, lacking these advantages, struggle to develop industrial hubs and attract investment.
What are the Key Implications of Industrial Imbalance in India?
- Regional Inequality & Developmental Gaps: States with higher industrial concentration, like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu generally have higher income, employment, infrastructure, and GDP (Maharashtra (Rs 45.3 lakh cr, 2024-25), UP (Rs 25.5 lakh cr, 2023-24), and Tamil Nadu (Rs 17.3 lakh cr, 2024-25)
- In contrast, states like Bihar ( GDP 8.5 lakh cr, 2023-24), Jharkhand (Rs 2.9 lakh cr, 2023-24), and most North-Eastern regions having fewer industries and lower industrial output, result in uneven economic development and wider gaps in living standards.
- Migration & Urban Stress: Industrial hubs attract workers from underdeveloped regions for jobs, higher wages, and better amenities, causing inter-state migration.
- Cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi face overcrowding, housing shortages, traffic congestion, pollution, and slum expansion, leading to social and environmental pressures.
- As per EAC-PM (2023), India had 40.2 crore domestic migrants, with major migration hubs including Mumbai, Bengaluru Urban, Howrah, Central Delhi, and Hyderabad.
- Fiscal Disparities & Resource Imbalances: States with concentrated industries earn higher tax revenues, royalties, and investment inflows, boosting their ability to fund infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
- Less-industrial states mostly depend on central transfers, face budget deficits, and have limited public investment, widening inter-state developmental gaps.
- Eg: Top 5 industrial states- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat contributed 72% of direct taxes in FY24, while UP, Bihar, MP contributed just 5%, revealing severe fiscal imbalances.
- Federal Friction & Policy Challenges: Uneven industrial growth can cause tensions between the Centre and States over resources, investment policies, and financial incentives.
- Advanced states may seek greater autonomy, while lagging states demand special packages, challenging cooperative federalism and coordinated economic governance.
- Socio-Political & Economic Implications: Persistent industrial imbalance can cause regional discontent, political marginalisation, and social unrest.
- It also shapes investment patterns, as businesses prefer areas with better infrastructure, skilled labour, and industrial ecosystems, creating a cycle of underdevelopment in lagging regions.
What are the Key Government Initiatives for Boosting Industrial Growth in India?
What Measures Should be Taken for Ensure Balanced Industrial Growth in India?
- Industrial Location Policy & Incentives: Formulate a comprehensive industrial location policy to guide investments toward underdeveloped and lagging regions, including priority zones and strategic sector allocation.
- Offer tax breaks, capital subsidies, concessional loans, reduced GST, and investment-linked deductions to make less-industrial states competitive with industrially advanced hubs like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
- Targeted Infrastructure Development: Invest in transport corridors, industrial parks, logistics hubs, reliable power, and digital infrastructure in industrially-backward states.
- Skill Development & Human Capital: Set up technical institutes, vocational centres, and reskilling programs in less-developed regions.
- Cluster-Based & Ecosystem Development: Promote sector-specific industrial clusters for economies of scale, supply chain integration, and innovation.
- Eg: Textile clusters in Bihar, electronics in the North-East, and agro-industrial hubs in Eastern India, boosting local entrepreneurship, employment, and sustainable development.
- Policy Coordination & Centre-State Collaboration: Strengthen cooperative federalism by aligning central policies with state industrial plans, ensuring resources, regulatory support, and investments.
- Provide incentive packages and reforms as per state capacities to promote equitable industrialisation.
Conclusion
India’s uneven industrial growth arises from historical, geographical, infrastructural, and policy factors. Ensuring balanced industrialisation needs Centre–State coordination, with focus on infrastructure, skill development, fiscal incentives, and cluster-based growth, reducing regional disparities and boosting competitiveness.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Industrial imbalance in India has perpetuated regional inequality and fiscal disparities, hindering inclusive growth. Discuss its key implications and suggest policy measures for achieving balanced and equitable industrialisation.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? (2015)
(a) Coal production
(b) Electricity generation
(c) Fertilizer production
(d) Steel production
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q.1 “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far are the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (2017)
Q.2 Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis the industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? (2014)
Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India
25-07-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
A World Bank report, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, titled "Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India", forecasts that by 2030, Indian cities will generate 70% of new employment but will face risks from flooding and extreme heat, urging the need for greater autonomy and climate-resilient planning.
What are the Key Climate Risks Impacting Indian Cities?
- Urban Growth: Urban population projected to nearly double to 951 million by 2050. By 2030, 70% of all new jobs will be generated in cities, but rapid urbanisation increases vulnerability to climate shocks.
- Indian cities will require USD 2.4 trillion by 2050 to build climate-resilient infrastructure and services.
- Flooding: Urban sprawl into flood-prone areas and increased concrete construction are worsening pluvial flooding by limiting rainwater absorption.
- The World Bank report projects that annual losses due to flooding could reach USD 5 billion by 2030. If adequate adaptation measures are not implemented, these losses are expected to surge to USD 30 billion by 2070.
- Just 10–20% road flooding can disrupt over 50% of a city’s transport system.
- Extreme Heat: The World Bank report highlights the growing intensity of the urban heat island effect in Indian cities, where concrete and asphalt absorb heat during the day and release it at night, leading to elevated nighttime temperatures.
- This is expected to lead to 3 lakh heat-related deaths annually by 2050. Solutions like urban greening, and cool roofs could prevent over 1.3 lakh deaths each year, underscoring the need for climate adaptation in urban planning.
- Air Pollution: In 2023, India was home to 42 of the 50 most polluted cities in the world, up from 39 in 2022. The primary contributors to poor air quality include vehicular emissions, construction dust, and biomass burning.
- Poor air quality leads to respiratory diseases, affecting millions of urban residents, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
What are the Challenges of Urban Autonomy in Enhancing Climate Resilience?
- Weak Devolution to ULBs: The Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), serve as local self-governments in India, as established by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.
- This Act empowered the states to devolve the responsibility of functions including urban planning, regulation of land use, water supply, and slum upgradation to ULBs, but many states haven't fully implemented it.
- Limited Financial Resources: ULBs often lack the necessary funds to implement climate-resilient infrastructure and policies, hindering their ability to address climate risks effectively.
- Most cities struggle to raise revenue, property tax collection is under 0.2% of GDP compared to 1.1% in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
- India’s devolution of funds to ULBs is significantly lower than in countries like South Africa (2.6%), Mexico (1.6%), the Philippines (2.5%), and Brazil (5.1%).
- This limited funding reduces urban productivity and quality of life. The rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST) further shrank ULBs’ revenue sources, weakening their financial autonomy.
- Weak Institutional Capacity: Many ULBs lack the technical expertise and administrative capacity to plan and execute climate adaptation strategies.
- Data Deficiency: ULBs often lack access to accurate, up-to-date data on climate risks and urban infrastructure, which is essential for informed decision-making.
- Fragmented Governance: Lack of coordination among different urban authorities hampers the integration of climate resilience strategies across various sectors.
What are the Key Strategies for Ensuring Climate Resilience in Indian Cities?
- Greater Autonomy for Cities: The World Bank highlights that cities with more autonomy perform better in resource mobilization, climate resilience, and accountability.
- Decentralized governance helps them tackle local challenges and boost revenue, especially for climate adaptation.
- Strengthening municipal revenue has been a consistent priority across Finance Commissions (FC). The 12th FC pushed for a Geographical Information System (GIS) and digitisation to improve property tax collection, while the 14th FC recommended empowering municipalities to levy vacant land tax.
- Urban Planning and Design: Green infrastructure like parks, wetlands, and open spaces helps manage rainwater and reduce urban heat. Schemes like AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) support this through green space and water-focused projects.
- Cities also need climate-resilient urban planning by avoiding construction in floodplains and enforcing climate-aware zoning norms.
- Upgrade stormwater drainage by recycling and reusing water for industrial use, and implement the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework under the Smart Cities Mission for efficient planning.
- Risk Evaluation and Adaptation Measures: Cities should conduct detailed climate risk assessments and incorporate adaptation measures (like Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan model) into city development plans.
- Use geospatial data, climate models, and early warning systems to support real-time risk management and community preparedness.
- Energy-Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Under the National Mission for Sustainable Habitat (NMSH), promote climate change mitigation and adaptation in the built environment of Indian cities, focusing on areas like sustainable buildings, efficient waste management, and low-carbon urban transport systems.
- The India Cooling Action Plan projects an eightfold rise in cooling demand by 2037. Energy-efficient buildings can cut emissions, improve comfort, and enhance indoor air quality.
- Enhance Investment: Public-private partnership (PPP) plays a vital role in financing climate resilience projects. Encouraging private investment in climate-adapted infrastructure can help cities leverage additional funding and technological expertise.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Indian cities are at the frontline of climate change. Discuss the key risks and evaluate India’s approach to building urban climate resilience.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Mains
Q. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (2016)
Q. Do government schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies? (2014)
ICJ’s Advisory on State Duties for Climate Action
25-07-2025
Source: DTE
Why in News?
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark advisory opinion stating that countries can be held legally responsible for their role in driving climate change.
- Earlier in 2021, Vanuatu sought an ICJ advisory opinion on climate change, which gained backing from other UN member states in March 2023.
What is the ICJ’s Stance on State Obligations on Climate Change?
- Climate Action is a Legal Duty: States are obligated under international law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
- Failure is a Wrongful Act: The ICJ affirmed that all countries, regardless of size or development, have climate obligations.
- Failure to act is an “internationally wrongful act” and may lead to liability, including halting harmful actions, preventing repeats, and compensating affected nations.
- This bolsters global calls for climate reparations and “loss and damage” funding.
- Role of Developed Countries: Developed nations (especially those listed in Annex I of the UNFCCC) must take the lead in reducing emissions and supporting others.
- ICJ noted that protecting the climate is part of fulfilling international human rights obligations.
- Significance: The ICJ opinion, though not legally binding, is expected to have huge influence at the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30) in Brazil and influence future climate lawsuits.
- It boosts the push for stronger climate action, especially from historically high-emitting countries, and marks a key moment in climate justice by supporting legal accountability.
What is the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?
- About: The ICJ, established in 1945 and active since 1946, is the UN’s principal judicial body.
- It settles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on international law.
- Based in The Hague, Netherlands it's the only UN organ outside New York. Its official languages are English and French.
- The ICJ settles disputes only between states and gives legal opinions, not criminal verdicts.
- Its judgments are final and binding, with no appeal. Under Article 94 of the UN Charter, UN members must comply. Advisory opinions are non-binding.
- Historical Background: The ICJ evolved from global efforts for peaceful dispute resolution, starting with the 1899 Hague Peace Conference, which created the Permanent Court of Arbitration, followed by the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) under League of Nations (1922). After World War II, the ICJ replaced the PCIJ.
- Composition: The court has 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
- Significance: It promotes peaceful conflict resolution, upholds international law, clarifies global legal norms (e.g. climate change, self-determination), supports human rights, and strengthens multilateral cooperation.
- India’s Engagement With ICJ:
- Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Portugal v. India, 1960): Portugal was granted the right of passage for civilians but India could block military or political access, affirming its sovereignty..
- Kulbhushan Jadhav Case (India v. Pakistan, 2019): ICJ ruled Pakistan violated the Vienna Convention by denying India consular access and ordered review of its sentence.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the mandate of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and its role in climate governance?
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. “Rule of Law Index” is released by which of the following? ( 2018)
A. Amnesty International
B. International Court of Justice
C. The Office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights
D. World Justice Project
Ans: (D)
Mains
Q. Clean energy is the order of the day. Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (2022)
Thirst Waves
25-06-2025
Global warming is making the air thirstier, causing higher evaporative demand that dries out land and plants—a phenomenon called thirst waves.
Thirst Waves
- About: Thirstwave, a term coined by researchers Meetpal Kukal and Mike Hobbins, refers to a period of three or more consecutive days with extreme atmospheric evaporative demand—reflecting how "thirsty" the air is for moisture.
- Causes: Thirst waves are influenced by temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed, unlike heatwaves, which are mainly driven by temperature and wind.
- Measurement: It is measured through Short-crop evapotranspiration that measures water loss from a well-watered 12-cm grass surface.
- Rising evapotranspiration indicates higher temperatures, lower humidity, and increased wind speed and solar radiation.
- Impact: Stronger thirst waves lead to faster soil moisture loss, greater irrigation requirements, and a higher risk of crop stress and yield reduction.
- Thirstwaves & India: Studies show that evaporative demand is increasing in parts of India, including Northern India and the Western/Eastern Himalayas, driven by agricultural expansion and vegetation growth.
- While in the past, higher humidity helped offset the impact of rising temperatures, future warming is expected to further raise evaporative demand.
State of Climate in Asia 2024 Report
25-06-2025
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of Climate in Asia 2024 report that revealed Asia warmed nearly twice as fast as the global average in 2024, marking its hottest or second-hottest year on record.
Key Findings:
- Unprecedented warming: Asia’s 2024 temperature was 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average, with warming rates doubling since 1961–1990.
- Heatwaves: In India, extreme heat waves claimed over 450 lives, pushed temperatures to 45–50°C, and, along with storms, caused around 1,300 deaths due to lightning.
- Marine heatwaves impacted around 15 million sq km, particularly the northern Indian Ocean and seas near Japan, China.
- Tropical Cyclones: In Asia, 29 tropical cyclones struck in 2024, with the deadliest being Cyclone Yagi (Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar)
- Glacial Retreat: Glaciers continued to lose mass, as 23 out of 24 glaciers in High Mountain Asia (Himalayas, Pamir Mountains, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush) showed decline, with Urumqi Glacier No. 1 (Tian Shan) recording its highest melt since 1959.
- WMO, headquartered in Geneva, is an intergovernmental body with 193 Member States and Territories, including India.
- It evolved from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), founded after the 1873 Vienna Congress.
Australia’s Northern Rainforests Become Carbon Source
24-10-2025
Source: DTE
Why in News?
A study published in Nature has found that the tropical forests in northeastern Australia are the first globally to shift from being a carbon sink to a net carbon source.
- This reversal is driven mainly by increased tree mortality due to climate stressors, including cyclones, which can reduce carbon storage for up to 6 years.
- Key climate extremes causing this include rising temperatures, atmospheric dryness, and drought conditions. This highlights how climate change can threaten global carbon budgets.
What is a Carbon Sink?
- About: A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.
- It acts like a natural or artificial reservoir that soaks up and stores carbon dioxide (CO₂), a primary greenhouse gas, thereby mitigating climate change.
- Key Examples:
- Forests: Through photosynthesis, trees and plants absorb CO₂ and store the carbon in their wood, roots, leaves, and soil.
- Oceans: The ocean is the largest active carbon sink. It absorbs CO₂ directly from the air, and marine organisms (like phytoplankton) use it for photosynthesis.
- Soil & Peatlands: Soils contain vast amounts of carbon stored in organic matter from decomposed plants and animals.

What is a Carbon Source?
- About: The opposite of a sink is a carbon source. This is anything that releases more carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs.
- Key Examples:
- Natural Carbon Sources
- Respiration: Animals, plants, and microorganisms release CO₂ during cellular respiration.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Emit large amounts of CO₂ and methane from beneath the Earth’s crust.
- Wildfires: Burning of vegetation releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
- Ocean Release: Warmer oceans release dissolved CO₂ back into the air.
- Soil Decomposition: Microbial activity in soil releases carbon as organic matter breaks down.
- Human-Induced (Anthropogenic) Carbon Sources
- Fossil Fuel Combustion: Burning coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, transport, and industry.
- Deforestation and Land-Use Change: Reduces carbon absorption and releases stored carbon from vegetation.
- Industrial Processes: Cement production, steel manufacturing, and chemical industries emit CO₂.
- Agriculture: Livestock produce methane (CH₄); paddy fields and fertilizers add nitrous oxide (N₂O).
- Waste Management: Landfills and waste incineration release methane and carbon dioxide.
What are the Consequences of Forests Turning into a Carbon Source and Measures Needed for its Mitigation?
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Consequences
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Measures Needed
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Vicious Feedback Loop: Climate change damages forests, causing tree death and carbon release, which further intensifies climate change via more fires and droughts.
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Aggressive Global Emission Cuts: Prioritize deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in fossil fuel emissions and strictly implement enhanced carbon budgets under the Paris Agreement.
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Social and Cultural Impacts: Degradation threatens the livelihoods, food, medicine, and culture of Indigenous communities, risking displacement and conflict.
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Proactive Forest Management: Implement large-scale strategies like assisted species migration, controlled burns for fuel reduction, and integrated pest management to break the cycle of dieback.
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Ecosystem Collapse: Biodiversity loss and extinction risk as forest degradation and a changing climate make areas unsuitable for native species.
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Climate-Adaptive Policies: Invest in water-efficient irrigation, promote drought-resistant crops, diversify rural economies, and strengthen public health systems.
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Impacts on Human Systems: Endangers water security, agriculture, and food production; causes economic losses and increases public health risks.
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Empowerment of Local Communities: Integrate Indigenous knowledge into forest governance, secure land tenure rights, and ensure their active participation in sustainable management.
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Conclusion
The shift of forests from carbon sinks to sources signals a critical climate tipping point, creating a vicious feedback loop that accelerates global warming, demanding urgent emission cuts, forest management, and community action.\
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. What are carbon sinks and carbon sources? Examine the consequences of the transformation of forest ecosystems from sinks to sources and suggest a framework for its mitigation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a carbon sink?
A carbon sink absorbs more CO₂ from the atmosphere than it releases, helping mitigate climate change. Examples include forests, oceans, and soils.
2. What is a carbon source?
A carbon source releases more CO₂ into the atmosphere than it absorbs, contributing to climate change. Examples include fossil fuel burning, wildfires, and deforestation.
3. What are the primary causes of the forest transition from sink to source?
Increased tree mortality due to rising temperatures, droughts, atmospheric dryness (VPD), and cyclones.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q1. Consider the following agricultural practices: (2012)
- Contour bunding
- Relay cropping
- Zero tillage
In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of them
Ans: (b)
Q2. In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration? (2017)
- Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
- Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
- Subterranean deep saline formations
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
‘Atomic Stencils’ Enable Precision Design of Nanoparticles
24-10-2025
Source: TH
Researchers have developed an atomic stenciling technique to precisely apply polymer patches onto microscopic gold nanoparticles, allowing unprecedented control over their structure.
- Process: The process has two key steps:
- Atomic Stenciling (The Masking): The researchers use iodide atoms as an "atomic stencil" or mask. These atoms are engineered to selectively bond and stick only to specific, flat crystal faces of the gold nanoparticle.
- Polymer Painting (The Patching): A polymer solution is then introduced. The polymer material only bonds to the unmasked, exposed gold surfaces, forming a precise patch exactly where intended.
- The patches so formed are so uniform that the nanoparticles could spontaneously self-assemble into highly ordered 3D crystals (superlattices), representing a major milestone in nanomaterials science that was previously largely theoretical.
- Benefits: The method allows for atomic-level control over the patch's size, shape, and location, enabling the creation of over 20 distinct types of patterned nanoparticles (e.g., corner patches, face patches, web designs).
- Applications: This control is a crucial step toward creating metamaterials with properties not found in nature.
- Potential applications include targeted drug delivery, ultra-efficient catalysts, advanced electronics, and smart materials.
Stenciling is a technique for applying a design or pattern to a surface by passing ink, paint, or another medium through a cut-out template (the stencil).
- The key principle is that the stencil acts as a barrier, blocking the medium from reaching the surface everywhere except the open, cut-out areas, which form the design.
Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025
24-10-2025
Source:PIB
India has secured the 9th position globally in terms of total forest area, as per the latest Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). India also retained its 3rd position worldwide in annual forest area gain.
- Top countries by forest area are Russia (832.6 million ha), Brazil (486 million ha) and Canada (368.8 million ha).
- India’s forest area stands at 72.7 million hectares.
- Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA): The GFRA, conducted every 5 years by the FAO, assesses global forest resources based on official national data.
- This data is vital for policymaking, international conventions (like those on climate change and biodiversity), and promoting sustainable forest management globally.
- India's Key Initiatives Related to Forest Conservation:
- Key Forest Legislations in India:
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: It restricts the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes and ensures central government approval for such use to prevent large-scale deforestation.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: It provides legal protection to wildlife species and their habitats and establishes National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves.
- National Forest Policy, 1988: It sets the goal of bringing 33% of India’s total land area under forest and tree cover and promotes participatory forest management involving local communities.
- Forest Rights Act, 2006: It recognizes the rights of traditional forest dwellers and tribal communities and empowers them to manage, conserve, and protect forest resources sustainably.
- Other Key Initiatives:
- National Mission for a Green India (GIM): GIM is part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) aiming to enhance ecosystem services and carbon sequestration.
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA): CAMPA utilizes funds from diverted forest land for compensatory plantation.
- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Initiative: Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Initiative is a national campaign encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers.
Global Innovation Index 2025
24-09-2025
Source: ET
Why in News?
India has climbed to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, improving from 48th place in 2020.
Global Innovation Index
- The Global Innovation Index (GII), introduced in 2007, was developed to provide comprehensive metrics and methodologies for assessing the wide spectrum of innovations across economies.
- Published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the GII has become a key benchmark for evaluating an economy’s innovation ecosystem.
- Recognized by the UN General Assembly as an authoritative reference for shaping Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policies.
What are the Key Highlights of the GII 2025?
- India Related Findings: India rose from 81st (2015) to 38th (2025), ranking 1st among lower-middle-income economies and in Central & Southern Asia.
- Its strengths are Knowledge & Technology Outputs (22) and Market Sophistication (38); weaknesses lie in Business Sophistication (64), Infrastructure (61), and Institutions (58).
- Top-Ranked Economies: The top five most innovative economies are Switzerland (1st), Sweden (2nd), USA (3rd), South Korea (4th), and Singapore (5th). China ranked in the top 10 for the first time, securing the 10th position.
- Top Innovation Clusters: The world’s top innovation clusters are Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou (1st) in China and Hong Kong, and Tokyo–Yokohama (2nd) in Japan.
- Positive Socioeconomic Impact: Labor productivity rose 2.5% in 2024, global life expectancy reached 73 years, and extreme poverty fell to 817 million, under half of 2004 levels.
- Rapid Technological Advancement: In 2024, technology advanced with notable gains in supercomputing efficiency and battery prices. However, adoption slowed, progress in wind power and genome sequencing lagged, and novel drug development regressed.
What is the Current Status of India’s Innovation Landscape?
- Funding Mechanism: As per the latest available R&D statistics, India invested 0.65% of GDP in R&D, compared to China (2.43%), Brazil (1.15%), and South Korea (2.5%).
- Patent Filings: India now ranks 6th globally in terms of patent applications. Meanwhile, India's patent-to-GDP ratio—a measure of the economic impact of patent activity—grew significantly, from 144 in 2013 to 381 in 2023.
- Strategic Policy Support: Programs like Startup India, Make in India, and Production Linked Initiative (PLI) scheme offer foundational support.
- DeepTech Push: Significant investments focus on strategic sectors, with the National Semiconductor Mission backed by Rs 76,000 crore, alongside the IndiaAI Mission and PLI for quantum technologies to enhance self-reliance.
- Rise of Unicorns & Cleantech: India has over 100 unicorns, the 3rd-largest ecosystem globally. The private sector leads in Cleantech, with startups like Ather Energy and Ola Electric.
- Geographical Diversification: Initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are decentralizing innovation, with over 45% of DPIIT-recognized startups emerging from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
What are the Barriers to India’s Innovation Ecosystem?
- Inadequate Financial Investment: India’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) remains ~0.7% of GDP, far below leading innovative nations like the United States (3.5%), South Korea (4.9%), and Israel (5.6%), highlighting a critical funding gap.
- Dominance of Public Sector in R&D Funding: India’s innovation ecosystem is largely publicly funded, with the private sector contributing only 36.4% (2020–21), unlike advanced economies where industry leads R&D investment.
- Additionally, a disconnect between academic research and industry needs limits interdisciplinary collaboration and commercialization of research.
- Skewed Focus Towards Strategic Sectors: Historical R&D focus on defense and space technology (e.g., Agni missile systems, space missions) has led to under-investment in industrial R&D for emerging areas like semiconductors, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals.
- Risk-Averse Industrial Culture: Industries prefer importing proven technologies over high-risk, long-gestation indigenous R&D; startups focus on business model innovations in IT services and e-commerce rather than foundational deep-tech research.
- Bureaucratic Hurdles: Despite achievements by DRDO, ISRO, BARC laboratories, technology transfer to the market is impeded by procedural delays, intellectual property challenges, and lack of streamlined processes.
What Reforms are Needed to Strengthen India's Innovation Ecosystem?
- Boost R&D Investment: India should boost R&D spending over the next decade, increase private and philanthropic contributions, and fully deploy the Rs 1 lakh crore innovation fund (Union Budget 2025–26) within 3–5 years to accelerate deep-tech research.
- Promote University-Led Research: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can drive upstream research to expand knowledge frontiers and help industry commercialize mature technologies.
- Establish Public-Private Innovation Hubs: India should establish sector-specific innovation hubs in AI, semiconductors, and clean energy, linking government, academia, and industry, and providing shared resources like testing facilities, prototype labs, and venture funds.
- Facilitate Cross-Sector Collaboration: Sector-specific industry councils can guide policy, pinpoint funding gaps, and channel resources to critical innovation sectors. For instance, a CleanTech Council could prioritize solar, EVs, and energy efficiency.
- Regional Innovation Clusters: Regional innovation clusters in non-metro areas can leverage local government and private resources to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting rural agri-tech and social enterprises with funding, mentorship, and infrastructure.
Conclusion
India’s innovation ecosystem has advanced significantly, reaching 38th in GII 2025 and topping lower-middle-income economies. While strategic policies have driven this rise, challenges remain in R&D funding, industry-academia collaboration, and private sector investment. Sustaining growth will require increasing GERD, promoting deep-tech, and building synergistic ecosystems to evolve from a startup hub into a global innovation leader.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Critically evaluate the barriers in India’s innovation ecosystem and suggest reforms to enhance deep-tech research and commercialization.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)? (2015)
- NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.
- NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as are business professions, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment. (2014)
India-US Corn Conundrum
24-09-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The US has expressed interest in exporting corn to India, but India remains cautious due to GM crop concerns, strong domestic production, and political considerations.
What Prevents India from Importing Corn from the United States?
- Regulatory Ban on GM Imports: India prohibits the import of genetically modified (GM) corn. With 94% of US corn in 2024 being GM and India allowing GM cultivation only for cotton, importing US GM corn is legally barred.
- High Tariff Barriers: India’s tariff structure discourages corn imports: a 0.5 million tonne quota faces 15% duty, while excess imports incur 50% duty, making US corn commercially unviable.
- Protection of Domestic Farmers: Indian officials warn that cheap imports could threaten the maize-for-ethanol ecosystem and new farmers, prompting the government to safeguard farmer incomes amid rising domestic production and acreage.
- Risk of Dumping: The US corn price is just about 70% of Indian maize without taking into account shipping, marketing costs and business margins. This would be equivalent to dumping, harming Indian maize farmers.
- Sovereign Policy on Ethanol Blending: Importing corn for ethanol production undermines India’s goal of import substitution, which aims to use domestic produce and save foreign exchange rather than create dependency on imports.
- 20% ethanol blending in petrol could save up to USD 10 billion in annual forex outgo through import substitution.
What are Key Facts Regarding Corn(Maize)?
- About: Corn (maize) is a highly versatile crop, known as the queen of cereals for its high genetic yield potential.
- Originating in Central America, it is a globally vital cereal for human consumption, animal feed, and forage.
- Climate & Temperature: Sensitive to frost (especially seedlings) requires a frost-free period with mean daily temperatures above 15°C but tolerates heat up to 45°C with sufficient water.
- It is highly responsive to solar radiation. Adequate light penetration to upper leaves is essential for grain filling.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers well-aerated, well-drained soils. Performs poorly on heavy clay or sandy soils, and is vulnerable to waterlogging.
- Water Requirements: It is a water efficient crop, needing 500–800 mm of water to achieve maximum grain yield.
- India’s Global Standing: India is the 5th largest maize producer (FAO, 2023) but only the 14th largest exporter (UN-COMTRADE 2022). With yields under 4 four tonnes per hectare (vs. global 6 t/ha), it remains largely self-sufficient.
- India has recently started importing maize mainly from Myanmar and Ukraine.
- Major Producers: The top producing countries are the United States, China, and Brazil.
- The major maize-growing states in India are Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
- Uses: Maize is highly valued globally for its multifarious uses as food, feed, fodder, and raw material for industries.
- Apart from food and feed, 14–15% of India’s maize is used for industrial purposes.
- It is a critical ingredient in starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, films, gum, packaging, and paper industries.
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed India’s first “waxy” maize hybrid, high in amylopectin starch, making it ideal for ethanol production.
What are the Key WTO Provisions Enabling Import Restrictions by Countries?
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Measure
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Description
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Key Condition
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Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures
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Countries can set their own health and safety standards for food, animals, and plants.
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Must be science-based, not arbitrarily discriminatory, or a disguised trade restriction.
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Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
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Covers technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessments (e.g., quality standards, labeling, product specifications).
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Must not be more trade-restrictive than necessary to meet objectives like national security, consumer protection, or environmental safety.
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Safeguard Measures
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Allow temporary import restrictions if domestic industry is threatened by a surge in imports (unforeseen development).
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Restrictions are temporary, usually require compensation, and do not require unfair trade.
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Anti-Dumping
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Extra duties on imports sold below normal value, causing domestic industry injury.
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Dumping is proven through pricing analysis. A direct causal link exists between dumped imports and economic harm.
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Countervailing Duties
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Duties on subsidized imports causing domestic industry injury.
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These duties are applied only after a thorough investigation confirms that a foreign export subsidy is causing "material injury" to the domestic industry of the importing country
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Related Keywords for Mains
- Atmanirbhar Agriculture
- “Technology as a Plough”: AI, drones, and precision farming powering harvests.
- “From Lab to Land, Innovation Grows”: Translating R&D into farmer-friendly solutions.
- “Biotech Bharat, Bio-Secure Bharat”: Genetic advances balancing productivity and safety.
- Crop Resilience & Diversification
- “Climate-Smart Crops, Climate-Secure Nation”: Adaptation through drought- and flood-tolerant varieties.
- “Credit as Cultivation Catalyst”: Timely finance enabling small farmers to thrive
- Sustainability & Resource Efficiency
- “Water Saved is Wealth Gained”: Efficient irrigation and conservation practices.
- “Energy in Every Acre”: Solar pumps, renewable inputs, and precision energy management.
- “Fertilizers from the Farm, Not the Factory”: Promoting bio-inputs and organic solutions.
Conclusion
India’s restrictions on U.S. corn imports stem from GM crop bans, tariff barriers, protection of farmers, and ethanol self-reliance goals. While India is the world’s 5th largest maize producer, low yields and rising demand drive occasional imports. Balancing domestic protection and global trade pressures remains a key policy challenge.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the factors restricting corn imports from the United States despite India’s growing maize demand.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Given below are the names of four energy crops. Which one of them can be cultivated for ethanol? (2010)
(a) Jatropha
(b) Maize
(c) Pongamia
(d) Sunflower
Ans: (b)
Q. According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? (2020)
- Cassava
- Damaged wheat grains
- Groundnut seeds
- Horse gram
- Rotten potatoes
- Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q.How far is Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production? (2019)
Unified Payments Interface
24-07-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a note titled Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability, emphasizing the role of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in transforming India's digital payment ecosystem.
What is Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?
- About: UPI is a real-time mobile payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- It allows users to link multiple bank accounts into one app for seamless peer-to-peer and merchant transactions.
- Working: UPI enables both push (send) and pull (receive) transactions using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA), with two-factor authentication, eliminating the need to enter bank details each time.
- Technologies Used: UPI is built on IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) and integrates Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS).
- IMPS facilitates funds transfer to an account of the beneficiary with a participating bank, based on beneficiary's Mobile Number & Mobile Money Identification Number (MMID) or Account number & Indian Financial System Code (IFSC).
- The AePS allows basic banking services like cash withdrawal, deposit, balance enquiry, and money transfer (interbank or intrabank) using Aadhaar authentication.
- BHIM App: Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a UPI-based payment app developed by NPCI.
How Has UPI Transformed India’s Digital Payment Ecosystem?
- Scale and Adoption: UPI processed Rs 24.03 lakh crore through 18.39 billion transactions in June 2025.
- UPI now serves 491 million users and 65 million merchants, connecting over 675 banks on one platform.
- India’s UPI is now the world’s top real-time payment system, processing over 640 million daily transactions more than Visa’s 639 million and powers 85% of India’s digital payments and nearly 50% of global real-time payments.
- UPI has integrated digital payments into daily life in India, enabling instant 24/7 transactions and easy management of all bank accounts through one app.
- Two-factor authentication ensures safety, while UPI IDs protect privacy by avoiding the need to share sensitive bank details. Quick Response (QR) codes make payments at shops fast and easy.
- Interoperability: UPI enabled seamless, platform-agnostic payments by removing the limits of closed-loop systems like restricted wallets or bank-specific transfers.
- It allows users to transact across different apps and banks, making digital payments easier and more flexible.
- This openness also pushed apps to compete and improve, driving innovation and better user experience.
- Financial Inclusion: UPI’s zero-cost, real-time transfers have made digital payments accessible for small vendors and first-time users.
- It has empowered millions of kirana stores and micro-businesses, while also promoting digital literacy and building trust in digital finance.
- Global Reach and Diplomacy: UPI is now live in 7 countries, including the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius.
- Its launch in France marks its entry into Europe. India is also pushing for UPI to be adopted across BRICS nations, which would boost remittances and simplify payments for Indians abroad.
Digital Foundation Behind UPI
- UPI’s global success is rooted in years of investment in digital infrastructure, with India building a strong foundation through the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana (financial inclusion), Aadhaar (digital identity), and Mobile connectivity) along with affordable internet.
- As of mid-July 2025, Jan Dhan Yojana opened over 55.9 crore bank accounts, bringing millions into the formal financial system and enabling direct benefit transfers.
- Aadhaar gave every resident a unique biometric-linked identity. With over 142 crore Aadhaar numbers generated by June 2025, it enabled secure authentication and underpinned services like UPI.
- Connectivity improved rapidly with one of the world’s fastest 5G rollouts (4.74 lakh base stations now cover almost all districts).
- Data costs dropped from Rs 308/GB in 2014 to Rs 9.34 in 2022, supporting 116 crore mobile users.
- These pillars made UPI the world’s top real-time payment system and a global model for digital finance.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q1. With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements: (2018)
- BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account.
- While a chip-pin debit card has four factors of authentication, BHIM app has only two factors of authentication.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Q2. Which of the following is a most likely consequence of implementing the ‘Unified Payments Interface (UPI)’? (2017)
(a) Mobile wallets will not be necessary for online payments.
(b) Digital currency will totally replace the physical currency in about two decades.
(c) FDI inflows will drastically increase.
(d) Direct transfer of subsidies to poor people will become very effective.
Ans: (a)
Q3. Consider the following statements: (2017)
- National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) helps in promoting the financial inclusion in the country.
- NPCI has launched RuPay, a card payment scheme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Hornbill Conservation Centre
24-07-2025
Source: TH
The Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of India’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).
- Focus Hornbill Species: It will focus on conserving four species found in the Western Ghats i.e., Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill.
- Expansion: Alongside ATR, it will extend to Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and parts of Kanyakumari.
- Broader Conservation Strategy: This marks another milestone in Tamil Nadu's conservation journey, following the Dugong Conservation Reserve, Nilgiri Tahr Project, Slender Loris Conservation Centre, and AI-powered elephant conservation.
Hornbill
- About: Hornbills are large, wide-ranging, fruit-eating birds that primarily inhabit tropical forests (tall trees).
- Unique Traits: Hornbills have large curved beaks, booming calls, and distinctive wing beats.
- During breeding, the female seals a tree cavity, and the male feeds her through a narrow slit.
- Hornbill Species in India: India hosts 9 species, with 4 in the Western Ghats(Nature Conservation Foundation).
- The Great Hornbill is widely distributed, and the Narcondam Hornbill is endemic to Narcondam Island.
- Ecological Role: They serve as vital seed dispersers, earning the title “farmers of the forest,” and function as keystone species.

Bharat NCX 2025
24-07-2025
Source: PIB
Bharat NCX 2025, India’s premier national cybersecurity exercise ( 21st July– 1st August, 2025), was inaugurated with the theme ‘Enhancing the Operational Preparedness of Indian Cyberspace’.
- Organizers: Conducted by National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).
- Objective: Strengthen cyber resilience through real-world attack simulations (critical infrastructure breaches, deepfakes, and AI-driven malware).
- Special Initiatives:
- Strategic Decision-Making Exercise (STRATEX): Enhances senior leadership response to national cyber crises.
- Chief Information Security Officers Conclave: Engages top security officers to discuss emerging trends and frameworks.
- Cybersecurity Startup Exhibition: Showcases indigenous innovations strengthening digital self-reliance.

Delhi Declaration 2025
23-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals, adopted at the ARISE Cities Forum 2025 in New Delhi, is set to be presented at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. It serves as a landmark commitment from cities of the Global South to shape climate action through multilevel governance.
What is Delhi Declaration 2025?
- About: The Delhi Declaration 2025 marks a major milestone in strengthening urban climate leadership and resilience, especially across the Global South.
- Key Commitments of the Delhi Declaration:
- Advance Local Climate Action: Strengthen and resource multilevel Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for measurable climate outcomes.
- Drive Inclusive Urban Resilience: Promote adaptation, circular economy practices, and nature-based solutions in city planning.
- Promote Just Transitions: Ensure fairness and equity in the shift toward net-zero emissions.
- Empower Citizens: Expand participation of women, youth, and communities in climate decision-making.
- Strengthen Governance: Build data-driven, transparent, and accountable systems for urban climate action.
- Mobilise Climate Finance: Enable direct and predictable access to climate finance for cities.
- Champion Global South Leadership: Encourage South-South cooperation, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
- Significance: The declaration represents a collective urban commitment to act locally while influencing global climate policy.
- It positions cities as pivotal players in achieving sustainable, resilient, and equitable growth pathways.
ARISE
- Full Form: Adaptive, Resilient, Innovative, Sustainable, and Equitable
- Objective: To create a collaborative platform for city leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss sustainable urban futures.
- Led by: ICLEI South Asia (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) - a global network of over 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.
Why Urban Climate Governance Matters for India and the Global South?
- Urban Climate Governance & Urbanisation Trends: Urban Climate Governance refers to the framework of institutions, policies, and collaborations that enable cities to plan and implement climate action.
- It ensures that urban areas, which contribute to over 70% of global CO₂ emissions, become centres of climate solutions, not sources of vulnerability.
- Over 50% of the global population lives in cities; projected to reach 68% by 2050 (UN).
- India adds nearly 10 million new urban residents each year, heightening risks from heatwaves, pollution, and floods.
- Examples of city-level leadership include Pune and Surat’s heat action plans, Indore’s waste circularity, and Kochi’s nature-based flood solutions.
- Disproportionate Vulnerabilities: The urban poor suffer most due to informal housing and weak access to services.
- Existing waste, water, and energy systems are already overstressed, and climate change worsens these strains.
- Bridging Policy and Practice: While national policies exist, action remains top-down. The Delhi Declaration urges locally determined actions.
- Strengthened urban climate governance ensures resilience, inclusivity, and effective translation of global climate goals into local realities,
What are India’s Initiatives in Urban Climate Governance?
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH):
- Smart Cities Mission (SCM):
- Aims to develop 100 smart cities focusing on climate-smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and efficient resource use.
- Encourages integrated command centres for data-driven governance.
- ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF):
- CSCAF has been developed to evaluate cities on five key themes: energy, mobility, water, waste, and urban planning.
- National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) Initiatives:
- AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation)
- AMRUT 2.0 promotes water security, green spaces, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- NCAP launched in 2019, originally aimed for a 20%-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024, on the 2017 baseline levels.
- Urban Forestry & Nature-Based Solutions
- Initiatives like Nagar Van Yojana promote urban green cover to mitigate heat and enhance carbon sequestration.
- Green Urban Mobility Initiatives

Conclusion
As the Delhi Declaration journeys “From Bharat to Belém,” it carries the united message of cities seeking recognition as equal partners in shaping global climate decisions. The ARISE Cities Forum 2025 thus stands as a turning point for urban resilience, showcasing that the path to a sustainable, climate-secure future begins in cities themselves.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the significance of Urban Climate Governance in achieving India’s sustainable development and climate resilience goals.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Delhi Declaration 2025?
It’s a collective statement from Global South cities promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban climate action ahead of COP30.
2. Who organised the ARISE Cities Forum 2025?
The forum was co-hosted by ICLEI South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
3. What is Urban Climate Governance?
It refers to city-level systems, policies, and collaborations managing mitigation, adaptation, and resilience to climate change.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? (2017)
- UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
- Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
- UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Ans: (b)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2011)
- In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee
- is constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
- prepares the draft development plans for metropolitan area.
- has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
Mains:
Q. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (2016)
Q. Do government schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies? (2014)
Q. With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.’ (2016)
Himalayan Musk Deer
23-09-2025
Source: DTE
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) reports no captive Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in recognized zoos, indicating no breeding programme has begun despite the 1982 Himalayan Musk Project.
Himalayan Musk Deer
- About: It is a deer species found in alpine regions above 2,500m in the Himalayan region of India, as well as in Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
- Physical Description: Sandy brown, hare-like deer. They lack antlers and have a gall bladder, distinguishing them from other deer.

- Captive breeding in India: A musk deer breeding centre was established in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in 1982 with five deer, increasing to 28 by 2006, when it closed and the last deer was sent to Darjeeling Zoo. India currently lacks founder stock, the initial pairs needed to start a breeding programme.
- Behavior & Communication: Solitary, sedentary, and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). They use a caudal gland to mark territory and display a distinctive bounding gait, capable of jumping up to 6m to evade predators.
- Conservation Status: Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Poaching for the musk sac (used in perfumes and medicine) drives population decline. Listed in CITES Appendix I.
CAG Report on the Fiscal Health of States
23-09-2025
Source:IE
Why in News?
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) released its first decadal analysis on the fiscal health of 28 Indian states, showing that their public debt (internal borrowings plus loans from the Centre) has tripled in 10 years, reaching Rs 59.6 lakh crore in FY 2022-23, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.
What are the Key Findings of the CAG Report on States’ Fiscal Health?
- Debt Growth in a Decade: States’ total public debt increased 3.39 times from Rs 17.57 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 59.60 lakh crore in 2022-23.
- Debt as a share of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) (value of all finished goods and services produced within a state’s geographical boundaries) rose from 16.66% to 22.96%, showing a heavier fiscal burden.
- States’ debt stood at 22.17% of India’s country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022-23.
- State-wise Variations: Punjab (40.35%), Nagaland (37.15%), and West Bengal (33.70%) had the highest debt ratios, while Odisha (8.45%), Maharashtra (14.64%), and Gujarat (16.37%) had the lowest.
- Debt vs revenue capacity: On average, states’ debt has been about 150% of their revenue receipts, peaking at 191% in 2020-21 during Covid-19.
- Sources of borrowing: Loans raised from open market through securities, treasury bills, bonds, banks, Reserve Bank of India (RBI’s) Ways and Means Advances, and institutions like Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
- Centre’s Role: Loans from the Union government increased due to GST compensation shortfall and special assistance for capital expenditure.
- Golden rule violations: The Golden Rule of Fiscal Policy states governments should borrow only for capital investment, not for current spending.
- However, at least 11 states used borrowings to cover day-to-day expenditure rather than capital investment, in Andhra Pradesh and Punjab, less than 25% of borrowings went into capital projects.
What are the Reasons for High State Debt in India?
- Reduced Fiscal Autonomy Post-GST: The introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 centralized tax collection, leaving states with fewer avenues to generate revenue independently.
- Moreover, the decline in their share of tax revenue due to new central cesses and surcharges further curtails their fiscal space.
- Fiscal Imbalance: States collect less than a third of the total revenues but are responsible for nearly two-thirds of the public expenditure.
- This significant revenue-expenditure mismatch forces states to borrow to meet their spending needs.
- High Reliance on Market Borrowings: Over time, states have increasingly turned to market borrowings, which account for a larger portion of state debt.
- Market borrowings come at a higher cost compared to other debt instruments, leading to an increased financial burden on states.
- Contingent Liabilities: State governments often undertake projects that involve financial guarantees (e.g., infrastructure projects), creating potential future financial obligations, known as contingent liabilities. These liabilities pose risks to fiscal health.
- Higher Interest Rates: States face relatively higher borrowing costs compared to the central government, which increases the total debt servicing burden.
- Historical Debt Accumulation: States with a history of high debt levels are forced to borrow more to service existing debt, creating a debt trap that’s difficult to escape.
What are the Implications of Rising State Public Debt in India?
- Threat to Fiscal Federalism: Rising debt limits fiscal autonomy of States and increases central control over state finances, undermining the federal structure.
- Fiscal Sustainability Risks: High debt servicing costs limit funds for developmental spending, potentially leading to a debt trap where states borrow more to repay existing debt.
- Impact on Economic Growth: States may have reduced capacity for investment in critical sectors like infrastructure, slowing long-term growth.
- Inflation and Interest Rate Risks: Higher borrowing costs and inflationary pressure can destabilize the economy and increase fiscal stress.
- Regional Disparities: States with higher debt-to-GDP ratios may face increased fiscal distress, creating greater regional inequalities in fiscal health.
- Impact on Social Welfare: States may cut back on welfare programs and public services, negatively affecting vulnerable populations.
How can States Reduce Debt Burden while Maintaining Fiscal Health?
- Enhancing Revenue Generation: Enhance tax collection efficiency by expanding the tax base, and broadening tax scopes through economic formalization.
- States can explore innovative revenue sources like mining royalties, tourism, and public asset monetization.
- Rationalizing Expenditures: States should prioritize capital expenditure for long-term investments, control discretionary spending, and rationalize inefficient welfare programs.
- Debt Restructuring: States should refinance high-interest debt, seek lower-cost debt sources (e.g., National Small Savings Fund (NSSF), Green Bonds or Infrastructure Bonds), and set debt ceilings to keep debt-to-GDP ratios within limits, as per the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003.
- Promoting Investment: Focus on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and foreign direct investment (FDI) in key sectors such as infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy.
- This can reduce the burden on state finances while leveraging private sector expertise.
- Create Contingency Funds: Set up rainy day funds or contingency funds to cover unforeseen fiscal needs, helping to avoid excessive borrowing during times of economic shocks or natural disasters.
- Enhancing Central-State Fiscal Cooperation : Increase states' share of central revenues as per the Finance Commission, and ensure timely GST compensation to reduce short-term borrowing needs.
- Improving Public Financial Management: Implement performance-based budgeting with the aid of Fiscal Health Index (FHI) and link expenditure to outcomes, and use technology to streamline procurement and reduce inefficiencies.
- Social Safety Nets: Strengthen social safety nets that protect the most vulnerable without placing excessive strain on state budgets.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. In the context of rising state debt in India, discuss the importance of strengthening public financial management.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)
- The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee Report has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general (combined) government by 2023, comprising 40% for the Central Government and 20% for the State Governments.
- The Central Government has domestic liabilities of 21% of GDP as compared to that of 49% of GDP of the State Governments.
- As per the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for a State to take the Central Government’s consent for raising any loan if the former owes any outstanding liabilities to the latter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C
Mains:
Q. Public expenditure management is a challenge to the Government of India in the context of budget-making during the post-liberalization period. Clarify it. (2019)
Kerala ‘First’ Digitally Literate State in India
23-08-2025
Source: IE
Kerala has been declared the first fully digitally literate state in India, marking a milestone in bridging the digital divide through the Digi Keralam Project.
- Digi Keralam Project targeted senior citizens, homemakers, and digitally excluded groups, using youth volunteers and the K-SMART (Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation) platform to provide online access services, boosting inclusion and governance.
- Earlier in 2002, the Akshaya project was launched by then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Kerala, to make one family member digitally literate, promoting IT access and citizen service delivery across the state.
Digital Literacy in India
- Digital Literacy: It is the ability of individuals and communities to understand and use digital technologies for meaningful actions within life situations.
- According to the Central Board for Workers Education Only 38% of India households are digitally literate (61% in urban areas and 25% in rural areas).
- Initiatives Promoting Digital Literacy:
- The Government of India implemented two digital literacy schemes, National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) and Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA), with a cumulative target of 52.50 lakh beneficiaries across the country (one person from every eligible household).
- Under these two schemes, 53.67 lakh beneficiaries were trained, with 42% from rural India. Both schemes have now been closed.
- Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): Aims to promote digital literacy in rural India,6.39 crore individuals trained nationwide till March 2024.

Saltwater Crocodile in Sundarbans
23-08-2025
Source: TH
As per the State Forest Department's survey, the population of saltwater crocodiles in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) has increased.
- The study highlighted the estimated population of saltwater crocodiles ranges from 220 to 242. Saltwater crocodiles prefer creeks and rivers with high tide widths below 180 meters.
- Saltwater crocodiles are hypercarnivorous apex predators maintaining ecosystem health by feeding on carcasses in water bodies.
- A hypercarnivorous apex predator is the ultimate specialized hunter, existing at the top of its food chain with no natural enemies, and relying on other animals for over 70% of its diet.
- They can tolerate a wide range of water salinity during winter, but increasing salinity may threaten their habitat.
Sundarbans
- Location: The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, lies in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers along the Bay of Bengal, with 40% in India and the remainder in Bangladesh.
- Ecosystem: An ecotone between land and sea in tropical and subtropical regions, featuring a diverse mix of habitats including freshwater swamps, intertidal mangroves, saline forests, and open water.
- Global Recognition: UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 (India) and 1997 (Bangladesh), and Ramsar site (2019).


Death of Cheetah at Kuno National Park
23-07-2025
Source: TH
An 8-year-old Namibian female cheetah, Nabha, died at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh due to injuries sustained during a likely hunting attempt.
- Project Cheetah:
- About: Cheetah Reintroduction Project (Project Cheetah) was launched in 2022, with the aim to reintroduce cheetahs to India (declared extinct in 1952) as part of global cheetah conservation efforts.
- Implementing Agencies: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- Implementation: Phase 1 involved translocating cheetahs from Namibia (2022) and South Africa (2023) to Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
- Under Phase-2 of the Project India is considering sourcing cheetahs from Kenya due to similar habitats.
- Cheetahs will be translocated to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).

Unique Stellar Chemistry of Star A980
23-06-2025
Why in News?
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru identified a rare helium-rich star (A980) exhibiting a rare chemical composition, challenging existing models of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis.
What are the Key Facts Related to Star A980?
- A980 lies in the Ophiuchus constellation, about 25,800 light years from Earth.
- It shows the first-ever detection of singly-ionized germanium (Ge II) in an EHe star, with germanium levels eight times higher than in the Sun.
- About Star A980: A980 is a cool Extreme Helium (EHe) star, a rare class of evolved stars made almost entirely of helium with little to no hydrogen, typically formed through the merger of a helium-rich and a carbon-oxygen rich white dwarf.
- Stellar Models and Star A980: Stellar models explain how stars form, evolve, and create elements. They suggest heavy elements like germanium form in supernovae or AGB stars, not in Extreme Helium (EHe) stars.
- However, Star A980, an EHe star, shows unusually high germanium levels, challenging these models.
- It suggests that element formation may happen during white dwarf mergers, a process not well covered in current theories, indicating the need to revise stellar evolution models.
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
- IIA is a premier research institution under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), dedicated to astronomy, astrophysics, and related physical and engineering sciences.
- It traces its origins to the Madras Observatory established in 1786, which was later relocated to Kodaikanal in 1899. It was renamed as IIA in 1971 and shifted its headquarters to Bengaluru in 1975.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation? (2019)
(a) ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected. (b) ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected. (c) Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed. (d) It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.
Ans: (b)
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India’s Digital Public Platforms (DPPs)
22-10-2025
Source: BL
The RBI Governor highlighted India’s vision to make digital innovations such as UPI and Modular Open-Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) global public goods, reaffirming the country’s commitment to international collaboration on Digital Public Platforms (DPPs).
DPPs
- About: DPPs are open, interoperable digital infrastructure solutions providing key public services, including:
- Digital identity (e.g., Aadhaar)
- Digital payments (e.g., UPI)
- Data exchange frameworks (e.g., DigiLocker, Account Aggregator).
- Core Features:
- Open Architecture: Encourages innovation by both private and public players.
- Interoperability: Supports seamless integration across sectors.
- Scalability: Manages large user volumes efficiently and cost-effectively
- India’s Global Positioning in DPPs: India is recognized as a global leader in DPP innovation and implementation, with systems like UPI being studied or adopted by countries including France, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, etc.
- A 1% increase in UPI transaction volume correlates with a 0.03% rise in GDP growth.
- MOSIP: It is a free, secure, and scalable system for building national digital identity systems, developed at IIIT-Bangalore.
- It is being adopted or explored by 27 countries to design and manage their own digital identities.
Reforming the PDS in India
22-09-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
A recent study by Crisil using a ‘thali index’ shows that up to 50% of rural and 20% of urban Indians cannot afford two balanced meals a day, revealing widespread food deprivation.This contrasts with the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity Brief, based on the 2024 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, which claims extreme poverty fell from 16.2% in 2011-12 to 2.3% in 2022-23.
Even with Public Distribution System (PDS) support, food deprivation remained 40% in rural and 10% in urban areas, revealing deeper food insecurity than income-based poverty estimates.
Thali Index
- Unlike conventional poverty measures based only on calories or income. The “thali index” approach measures food deprivation by assessing whether households can afford a basic, balanced meal (the thali, which includes rice, dal, roti, vegetables, curd, and salad).
- It reflects both nutrition and satisfaction, not just calories. Reveals hidden deprivation, as many households cannot afford even two thalis a day despite low official poverty levels.
- This approach highlights the need to restructure the PDS to promote equity in primary food consumption.
Why is the Need to Restructure the PDS to Promote Equity in Primary Food Consumption?
- Limitations of Current PDS: The PDS has succeeded in equalising cereal consumption across income groups. However, the PDS mainly provides rice and wheat, which are rich in calories but low in proteins and other nutrients. This helps with hunger, but not with balanced nutrition.
- Pulse Consumption Gap: A healthy diet requires proteins, vitamins, and minerals, not just calories. Pulses, often the only protein source for the poor, remain unaffordable without subsidy.
- As a result, the poorest 5% of rural households consume only half as many pulses as the richest 5%, highlighting a serious nutritional gap driven by cost barriers.
- Subsidy Misdirection: In rural India, individuals in the top 10% consumption bracket receive up to 88% of the subsidy that the poorest 5% receive.
- This group spends three times more on food than the poorest, yet continues to benefit from PDS subsidies, implying leakage and misallocation.
- In urban areas, although the system is more progressive, 80% still receive PDS subsidies, even if they exceed the "two-thali" consumption norm.
- Fiscal Burden and Resource Misuse: In January 2024, the central government extended free food grain supply (under National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013) to 80 crore people.
- However, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24 data shows many of these households already consume enough cereals. Such large-scale entitlement does not reflect actual need and wastes public funds.
- Over-allocation also increases procurement, storage, and distribution costs for the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Poverty Committees in India Based on Consumption
- Working Group (1962): Quantified poverty line based on minimum food and non-food needs. Separate rural (Rs 20) and urban (Rs 25) per capita per month at 1960-61 prices.
- VM Dandekar & N. Rath (1971): Derived poverty line based on expenditure required to meet 2,250 kcal/day per capita.
- Y.K. Alagh (1979): The poverty line was based on the per capita consumption required to meet basic calorie needs: 2,400 kcal/day in rural areas and 2,100 kcal/day in urban areas, corresponding to Rs 49.09 per month for rural and Rs 56.64 per month for urban households (1973-74 prices).
- Lakdawala Expert Group (1993): Retained Alagh Committee poverty lines at national level and introduced state-specific lines to reflect price differences.
- Tendulkar Expert Group (2009): Used a single all-India urban poverty line basket to derive state-level rural and urban poverty, replacing the earlier practice of separate rural and urban baskets.
- It recommended shifting from calorie-based to target nutritional outcomes and recommended a uniform all-India poverty line for rural and urban areas.
- Rangarajan Committee (2014): Reintroduced separate rural and urban poverty lines with consumption baskets including food and non-food items.
- The poverty line is estimated as Monthly Per Capita Expenditure of Rs. 1407 in urban areas and Rs. 972 in rural areas. The government did not officially adopt the report.
What Challenges Exist in Implementing Nutrition-sensitive PDS?
- Accurate Targeting of Beneficiaries: Identifying households that genuinely consume below the “two thalis a day” norm is difficult.
- There is a high risk of exclusion errors (poor families left out) and inclusion errors (better-off households still receiving benefits).
- Political Sensitivity in Reducing Cereal Entitlements: Many households, including middle-class and better-off groups, currently benefit from subsidised rice and wheat.
- Cutting or eliminating their entitlements may trigger political resistance and public backlash.
- Procurement and Distribution of Pulses: Unlike rice and wheat, pulses are produced in smaller quantities, have greater price volatility, and require better storage facilities.
- Scaling up their procurement and distribution through PDS would be logistically challenging.
- Financial Sustainability: Expanding subsidies for pulses while continuing to support cereals could place a heavy burden on the food subsidy bill.
- Without restructuring PDS, it may not be fiscally sustainable for the government.
- Subsidised food items often get diverted to open markets. Expanding the basket to include costlier items like pulses increases the incentive for black marketing and corruption.
- Administrative and Monitoring Capacity: Implementing a nutrition-sensitive PDS needs reliable data systems, digital tracking, and strong oversight.
- Weak monitoring can undermine efficiency and prevent benefits from reaching the truly needy.
How can the PDS be Reformed to Ensure Equitable & Nutritious Food Access?
- Define a Nutrition-Based Food Norm: Establish a "minimum balanced diet" standard (e.g., two thalis/day) including cereals, pulses, vegetables, and dairy.
- Make it region-specific to reflect local dietary patterns and costs.
- As recommended by the Tendulkar Committee (2009), poverty estimation should move beyond calorie norms to a broader consumption basket, including food, health, and education.
- Target Subsidies Based on Need: Update and use latest HCES data to identify households below the nutrition norm.
- Provide full PDS support to the most deprived and reduce or eliminate subsidies for those above the norm.
- Expand Pulse Inclusion in PDS: Increase the distribution of key pulses (tur, moong, chana) in PDS to address protein deficiency. Prioritise supply for low-income households with low protein intake and link procurement with Minimum Support Price and buffer stocking mechanisms.
- Reduce Excess Cereal Allocation: Trim cereal quotas where consumption has already met desired levels. Use savings to diversify the food basket and improve nutritional outcomes.
- Pilot and Scale Gradually: Implement state-wise pilot programs, monitor impacts on nutrition, fiscal costs, and supply chains before national rollout.
- Leverage Technology for Better Targeting: Use digital ration cards, Aadhaar linking, and real-time data to improve transparency and reduce leakages.
- Promote nutrition literacy among beneficiaries to increase uptake of pulses and diversified diets.
Conclusion
A reformed, nutrition-focused PDS is essential to bridge India’s hidden hunger gap. Strategic targeting, fiscal prudence, and dietary diversity must guide future interventions. Equity in food access is not just about distribution, it's about delivering dignity through nutrition.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Despite near-universal calorie sufficiency, India faces serious nutritional inequality. Critically examine the need to reform the Public Distribution System (PDS) and propose a brief roadmap for implementation.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017)
- To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
- To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
- To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Ans: (a)
Q. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements: (2018)
- The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
- The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q: Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO. (2013)
Silver Economy
22-08-2025
Source: FE
Why in News?
World Senior Citizen Day is celebrated every year on 21st August to acknowledge the contributions of senior citizens, raise awareness about the challenges they face globally, and highlight the growing importance of the silver economy.
Note: World Senior Citizen Day began in 1988 when US President Reagan designated 21st August to honor seniors and promote supportive policies.
- It is different from the International Day of Older Persons. The United Nations General Assembly designated 1st October as the International Day of Older Persons, which was first observed in 1991.
What is the Silver Economy?
- About: It refers to all economic activities, goods, and services catering to senior citizens.
- Importance for India: According to the Technical Group on Population Projections (2020), India’s elderly population will rise from 103.8 million in 2011 (8.6% of the population) to 193.4 million by 2031.
- According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India’s elderly population is set to double to over 20% by 2050, surpassing children (0–15 years) by 2046. Senior citizens are becoming key economic players, creating opportunities in healthcare, technology, insurance, housing, and wellness.
- Main Drivers of Silver Economy Growth:
- Active Aging: India is moving towards active aging, where senior citizens are healthier, more independent, and seen as contributors rather than dependents. Professionals in the 45-64 age group are currently the wealthiest, making seniors a key consumer class.
- Unlike previous generations, they are increasingly participating in the workforce and adding greater value to the economy.
- Home Care Services: Over 75% of elderly in India suffer from chronic diseases, creating strong demand for home-based healthcare.
- Health Technology: Telehealth, remote monitoring, and wearable devices (fall detectors, GPS trackers, emergency alerts) are transforming elderly care.
- Ayush-based Services: There is a rising preference for Ayurveda and traditional medicine particularly for preventive care due to their minimal side effects.
- With growing demand for holistic health solutions, this sector holds strong potential for future growth.
What are the Challenges in India’s Silver Economy?
- Healthcare Gaps: Limited geriatric care facilities, high out-of-pocket expenditure, and low insurance coverage (only ~18% India’s seniors are insured) restrict access to affordable healthcare.
- Financial Insecurity: A large share of elderly lack pensions or savings, especially in the unorganised sector, leaving them dependent on family support.
- Digital Divide: Low digital literacy and limited access to technology hinder seniors from benefiting from telemedicine, e-commerce, or digital financial services.
- Social Isolation: Breakdown of joint family systems, urban migration, and changing family structures increase loneliness and mental health issues among the elderly.
- Policy and Infrastructure Gaps: Absence of age-friendly infrastructure (housing, transport, public spaces) and limited targeted policies for eldercare slow down growth.
- Workforce Barriers: Despite active aging potential, age-based stereotypes and lack of flexible work models restrict employment opportunities for seniors.
- Awareness and Accessibility: Limited awareness about health insurance, Ayush practices, and government schemes prevents seniors from accessing available support systems.

What Reforms are Needed to Strengthen India’s Silver Economy?
- Healthcare-Centric Reforms: Expand geriatric care services with a preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative focus. Promote health literacy among seniors and caregivers to encourage self-care and early interventions.
- Financial Security Reforms: Design age-specific insurance products to reduce out-of-pocket spending.
- Expand pension coverage under Atal Pension Yojana (APY) to protect seniors, especially those from the informal sector.
- Promote reskilling and flexible work opportunities under SACRED Portal for the elderly to retain economic independence.
- Social Inclusion & Support: Promote social engagement and peer-support networks to combat loneliness and mental health issues.
- Sensitise communities towards the needs, dignity, and sensitivities of elders.
- Elder-Friendly Infrastructure & Housing: Develop age-friendly public spaces, housing, and transportation systems.
- Digital Inclusion Reforms: Launch digital literacy campaigns specifically targeting seniors. Provide user-friendly technology platforms for health, finance, and social services.
- Economic and Market Reforms: Encourage public–private partnerships under SAGE Programme for developing eldercare infrastructure and services.
- Incentivise silver economy startups through targeted funding and incubation support.
- Integrate the elderly into mainstream economic activity, both as consumers and contributors.
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Drishti Mains Question:
The silver economy presents a significant opportunity for India. Discuss the growth drivers and the challenges in harnessing this potential.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements with reference to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): (2008)
- All persons of 60 years or above belonging to the households below poverty line in rural areas are eligible.
- The Central Assistance under this Scheme is at the rate of `300 per month per beneficiary. Under the Scheme, States have been urged to give matching amounts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: D
Mains:
Q. Performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to the absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of the policy process. Discuss. (2019)
Need for a National Space Law in India
22-08-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
On 23rd August, India will observe its second National Space Day, highlighting upcoming missions such as Gaganyaan and the Bharat Antariksh Station.
- However, while India’s space achievements continue to grow, the absence of a national space law threatens to slow its commercial, innovative, and global ambitions.
National Space Day
- India celebrated its maiden National Space Day (NSD) on 23rd August 2024, to commemorate the successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission's Vikram Lander and the deployment of the Pragyan Rover on the Moon on 23rd August 2023.
- The day showcases India’s space prowess and inspires future generations to pursue STEM.
Why Does India Need a National Space Law?
- Operationalise Global Commitments: India is a signatory to the Outer Space Treaty, 1967 and related UN agreements. These treaties establish principles like peaceful use of space, state responsibility for national activities, and liability for damages.
- United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) treaties are not self-executing, countries must enact domestic space laws.
- The US, Japan, and Luxembourg have laws for licensing, liability, and commercial use. Without one, India risks non-compliance and falling behind globally.
- Balance Domestic Gaps with Geopolitical Realities: While the Outer Space Treaty has held firm globally, rising tensions among space superpowers (US, Russia, China) threaten space governance.
- India must strengthen its domestic legal framework to safeguard its commercial interests, even as international uncertainties persist.
- Provide Legal Certainty for Industry: Policies (like the Indian Space Policy 2023 and IN-SPACe Guidelines 2024) show intent but lack statutory force.
- A national space law would give Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) legal authority as the central regulator, streamline licensing, reduce delays, and build investor confidence in India’s space sector.
- Support Startups and Innovation: Startups face high risks with satellites and launch vehicles but lack affordable insurance.
- A law can mandate third-party liability coverage, establish clear frameworks for claims and accident investigations, provide affordable insurance for startups, and enforce strong IP protections to encourage R&D and prevent brain drain.
- Manage Safety and Sustainability: A comprehensive law can set safety standards, manage space debris, establish accident procedures, and unify satellite frameworks, ensuring responsible space use and protecting India’s credibility.
Indian Space Policy 2023
- Objective: Augment space capabilities, encourage private sector participation, drive technology development, and strengthen international cooperation.
- Delineation of Roles: The policy delineates the roles and responsibilities of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), space sector PSU NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), IN-SPACe, and and the Department of Space.
- ISRO: Focus on research, innovation, and advanced space technologies.
- IN-SPACe: Serve as a single-window agency for authorising space activities by government and private entities, ensuring safety, national security, and compliance with international obligations.
- NSIL: Commercialise publicly funded space technologies and provide space-based services to government and private entities.
- Department of Space: Implements policy, ensures safe and sustainable operations, coordinates international cooperation, and resolves disputes.
- Applicability: This policy covers all space activities in Indian territory and its exclusive economic zone, with the Government reserving the right to grant case-by-case exemptions.
What Challenges Does India's Space Industry Face Without a National Space Law?
- Regulatory Hurdles: Multiple ministries (Defence, Telecom, Commerce, Department of Space) handle approvals, causing duplication and delays. Satellite communication projects, for example, require simultaneous clearance from DoT, DoS, and Defence, hindering operations.
- IN-SPACe operates through executive orders, lacking formal legislative authority. This reduces investor confidence as regulatory decisions can be legally challenged.
- Liability Concerns: Under the Outer Space Treaty, India is internationally liable for all space activities, including private launches.
- Startups face high entry barriers due to costly liability insurance requirements.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Concerns: Limited FDI allowed in satellite manufacturing; unclear automatic approval routes deter foreign investors.
- India’s space industry seeks clear 100% automatic FDI in satellite components to attract investment.
- Competitor nations like Luxembourg and UAE attract space startups with more liberal investment policies.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Satellites are vulnerable to hacking, GPS spoofing, and space-based espionage. India lacks an independent Space Cybersecurity Command or autonomous ISRO cybersecurity division, posing national security risks.
- Climate Change and Infrastructure Risks: Coastal launch sites like Sriharikota and Thumba face climate threats. No legal requirement exists for climate adaptation measures, leaving infrastructure vulnerable to extreme weather.
- Strategic Military Gaps: Delays in establishing space-based defense assets and integrated commands are exacerbated by lack of statutory support.
What Measures are Needed to Enhance India’s Space Industry?
- Provide Legal Backing: Enact a comprehensive space law to align with OST, define roles of government and private actors, and establish liability norms.
- Expand Private Sector and Startup Participation: Fully implement New Space Policy 2023 to enable private development of launch vehicles, satellites, and deep-space tech.
- Strengthen IN-SPACe to streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic delays.
- Strengthen Space Traffic Management and Debris Mitigation: Establish an independent Space Traffic Management (STM) system to track and mitigate debris.
- Deploy active debris removal satellites using laser ablation and robotic arms.
- Enhance international cooperation via UNOOSA and IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee) for sustainable space operations.
- Enhance Cybersecurity and Space Asset Protection: Create a dedicated Space Cybersecurity Command under ISRO and DRDO.
- Strengthen satellite defenses with quantum encryption, AI-driven anomaly detection, and satellite firewalls.
Conclusion
India’s scientific and technological achievements are undeniable, but a national space law is needed to ensure regulatory clarity, attract investment, protect startups, and promote sustainable, globally aligned space development.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Evaluate the importance of a comprehensive national space law for India’s growing space sector. What are the challenges in its absence?
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q.1 What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (2019)
Q.2 Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology helped India in its socio-economic development? (2016)
Q.3 What is the main task of India’s third mood mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (2023)
International Moon Day
22-07-2025
Source: TH
20th July is observed annually as International Moon Day to mark the historic first human landing on the Moon by the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
- The United Nations General Assembly officially recognised this observance in 2021, following a recommendation by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), to promote global cooperation in space exploration.
Apollo 11 Mission
- Apollo 11, launched by NASA on 16th July 1969, was the first successful crewed mission to land on the Moon and return safely to Earth.
- On 20th July 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface, while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit aboard the Command Module.
- In total, there were six successful lunar landings under the Apollo program: Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
India’s Lunar Mission
- India’s Moon missions began with Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which discovered water on the Moon, followed by Chandrayaan-2 (2019), whose orbiter remains active despite a failed landing.
- Chandrayaan-3 (2023) achieved a historic soft landing at the South Pole, making India the first to do so (fourth nation to land on the Moon).
- Upcoming missions include Chandrayaan-4 (2027) for sample return, and Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX), a joint mission with Japan (JAXA) to explore lunar water and ice, planned for 2027–28.

Global Wetland Outlook 2025
22-07-2025
Source: DTE
Why in News?
The Global Wetland Outlook (GWO) 2025, released by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention (1971), highlights that Africa’s wetlands are among the most degraded in the world.
What are the Key Takeaways from Global Wetland Outlook 2025?
- Global Wetland Coverage: Wetlands (Seagrass, Kelp Forests, Coral Reefs, Estuarine Waters, Salt Marshes, Mangroves, Tidal Flats, Lakes, Rivers and Streams, Inland Marshes and Swamps, and Peatlands) cover over 1,800 million hectares globally, including inland freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
- However, data uncertainty persists due to inconsistent methods and gaps in historical data.
- Loss and Degradation: Since 1970, the world has lost about 411 million hectares of wetlands, marking a 22% global decline at an average annual loss rate of -0.52%.
- Wetlands in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean are facing the worst levels of degradation, but ecological deterioration is also rising in Europe, North America, and Oceania.
- Wetlands are in the worst condition in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In upper-middle-income and developed countries, more wetlands are reported in good condition than poor.
- Value of Wetlands: Wetlands provide food, water filtration, disaster protection, carbon storage, and cultural value.
- The ecosystem service value of global wetlands is estimated at USD 39 trillion. Wetlands make up just 6% of Earth's surface but deliver ~7.5% of global GDP in value.
- Over 60% of GDP in some African countries comes from nature-based sectors. Wetland loss increases climate risks and lowers productivity. Investing in wetlands is a smart, cost-effective step toward sustainable growth.
- Wetland Funding Gap: Biodiversity funding is just 0.25% of global GDP, far too low to meet current needs.
- Recommendations:
- Wetland Conservation: It calls for urgent action to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), particularly Target 2 (restoring at least 30% of all degraded ecosystems) and Target 3 (conserving at least 30% of land, waters, and seas).
- To meet these goals, around 123 million hectares of wetlands must be restored, possibly exceeding 350 million hectares if degraded wetlands are included.
- Additionally, about 428 million hectares need to be effectively managed through protected areas or conservation measures.
- This effort supports climate goals under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Sustainable Development Goal 6.6 on water ecosystems.
- Conservation Over Costly Restoration: Conserving healthy wetlands is far cheaper than restoring degraded ones, which can cost anywhere from USD 1,000 to over USD 70,000 per hectare annually.
- Boost Investment in Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Encourage both government and private sectors to invest in wetland protection as cost-effective NbS for disaster resilience, climate mitigation, and water security.
- Build capacity and long-term strategies to scale up wetland investments globally.
What are Wetlands?
- About: The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with static or flowing water that may be fresh, brackish, or salty, including shallow marine areas up to six meters deep at low tide.
- It also allows inclusion of nearby riparian or coastal zones and deeper marine areas if they lie within the wetland system.
- Major Types of Wetlands:
- Human-made Wetlands: Built for purposes like irrigation, drinking water, fish farming, or recreation. Examples include reservoirs, aquaculture ponds, salt pans, dams, and barrages.
- Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Bihar, now Ramsar Sites, are human-made wetlands created for irrigation via the Nakti Dam.
- Lakes and Ponds: Inland freshwater bodies that support diverse plant and animal life.
- River Floodplains: Low-lying areas next to rivers that flood periodically. The Yamuna floodplains, for instance, are Delhi’s key water source.
- Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary is a floodplain wetland in Uttar Pradesh, with the Rapti River flowing through it.
- Oxbow Lakes: Crescent-shaped waterbodies formed when river meanders are cut off due to silt or course change.
- Common in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi basins (e.g., Ansupa Lake).
- Kanwar Lake, Bihar (also known locally as Kabartal) is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake.
- Marshes: Wetlands with herbaceous plants, fed by sources like runoff, groundwater, or tides. Example: Kanwar Jheel in Bihar.
- Estuaries: Brackish water zones where rivers meet the sea, like the Chilika Lagoon in Odisha. Coastal lagoons form when sandbars separate sea and river water.
- Swamps: Tree-dominated wetlands with waterlogged soil. Mangroves are coastal swamps. Sunderbans is the largest mangrove swamp in the world.

- Ecosystem Services of Wetlands:
- Water Purification: Wetlands act as kidneys of the habitat by purifying water, sequestering huge amounts of carbon (thereby mitigating climate change) and , supporting irrigation, and improving both surface and groundwater quality.
- Storm Protection: Coastal wetlands like mangroves and salt marshes reduce storm surges, flooding, and erosion.
- Flood Control: Absorb excess water during storms, reducing downstream floods and supporting streamflow in drought. Mangroves can lower flood depths by 15–20%, and up to 70% during major storms.
- Erosion Control: Wetland plants stabilize soil and prevent streambank erosion.
- Wildlife Habitat: Wetlands are ecotones rich in both aquatic and terrestrial life, supporting amphibians, birds like ducks and cranes, mammals, and migratory species.
- Wetlands support spawning, feeding, and nursery areas for species like trout, crab, and shrimp.
- High Productivity: Some wetlands (e.g. salt marshes) produce more biomass per acre than most crops.
- Education: Serve as natural classrooms for ecological and cultural learning.
- Status of Wetlands in India: As of August 2024, India has 1,307 identified wetlands covering over 1.35 million hectares, the highest wetland coverage in South Asia.
- Efforts to Conserve Wetlands:
- Ramsar Convention: India ratified the Ramsar Convention in 1982, naming Keoladeo National Park and Chilika Lake as its first two Ramsar Sites. With Khichan and Menar in Rajasthan added in 2025, India now has 91 Ramsar Sites, showing its continued focus on wetland conservation.
- The Montreux Record is a list of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention that are facing, or are likely to face, ecological damage.
- India currently has two wetlands on the Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan and Loktak Lake in Manipur.
- Wetlands of India Portal (2021): Provides public access to wetland data, maps, and conservation updates.
- National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas: Tracks changes in wetlands using satellite data.
- Amrit Dharohar Scheme (2023): Focuses on eco-tourism, community income, biodiversity enhancement, and carbon storage in wetlands.
- Integration with Namami Gange: Aligns wetland conservation with river basin management, especially in the Ganga basin.
- World Wetlands Day: Observed on 2nd February to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.

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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the ecological and economic importance of wetlands.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?(2014)
(a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference
(b) The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland
(c) The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed
(d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’
Ans: (a)
Kurinji Bloom
21-10-2025
Source:TH
The mass flowering of Kurinji after eight years in Tamil Nadu’s newly notified Gudalur Reserve Forest in the Nilgiris signals biodiversity recovery and serves as an indicator of healthy grasslands and changing climate conditions.
- Over 60 species of Kurinji, including Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), are endemic to the Western Ghats, with 33 varieties in the Nilgiris.
- In Gudalur, the recent mass bloom is of Strobilanthes sessilis a variety of Kurinji, which flowers once every eight years.
- Kurinji flowers once in a lifetime, like bamboo, and dies after flowering, relying on seed germination for the next generation.
- Color variations include purple, blue, white, and pink, with multiple shades for each.
- Neelakurinji: It is a shrub native to the shola forests of the Western Ghats. It is found in abundance in the Kodaikanal region of Tamil Nadu.
- The plant blooms once every 12 years and is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The Nilgiris (“Blue Mountains”) get their name from its blue flowers.
- Cultural Significance: In local mythology, the Kurinji flower is associated with Lord Muruga. Among the Muthuvas and Todas tribes, Kurinji symbolizes love and passion.
- Ecological Importance: Mass flowering of Kurinji attracts butterflies, honeybees, and other insects, supporting pollination.
- It is an indicator of healthy grasslands and thriving wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and hornbills.

Godavari River
21-07-2025
Source: TH
Floods in Godavari River have displaced many people in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, leading to large-scale evacuations and the establishment of relief camps.
Godavari River
- About: Known as Dakshin Ganga (Ganges of the South), the Godavari is India’s second-longest (1465 km) river (after Ganga) and the largest river system in Peninsular India.
- Source & Drainage Basin: It originates from Trimbakeshwar near Nasik in Maharashtra and flows eastward before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
- Its basin spans Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, with minor parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
- The Godavari basin is roughly triangular in shape, with the Godavari River flowing near the base of the triangle.
- It is bounded by the Satmala Hills, Ajanta Range, and Mahadeo Hills in the North, the Eastern Ghats in the South and East, and the Western Ghats in the West.
- Major Tributaries: Purna, Pranhita, Indravati, and Sabari, Wainganga, Wardha, Penganga (Left-Bank) and Pravara, Manjira, and Manair (Right Bank).
- Cultural Significance: Hosts the Kumbh Mela at Nashik, one of 4 sacred sites in India for the event. Other Kumbh Mela sites include the Shipra in Ujjain, the Ganges in Haridwar, and the Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati confluence at Prayag.
- Major Projects: Polavaram Irrigation Project, Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP), Sadarmatt Anicut & Inchampalli Project

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034
21-07-2025
Source: DTE
Why in News?
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034 report, offers a 10-year outlook on global agricultural and fish markets to guide evidence-based policymaking.
What are the Global Market Trends According to OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034?
- Cereal Production and Biofuel Demand: Global cereal production is expected to grow at 1.1% annually, driven largely by yield increases (0.9% per year). However, the expansion of harvested area will slow to 0.14% annually through 2034.
- By 2034, 40% of cereal production will be consumed directly by humans, while 33% will be used for animal feed and 27% will be diverted to biofuels and industrial uses.
- By 2034, India and Southeast Asia will drive 39% of global cereal consumption growth, while China’s share will fall to 13% from 32%, reflecting changing consumption trends.
- Biofuel demand is projected to grow at 0.9% annually, primarily due to increases in countries like Brazil, India, and Indonesia.
- Agricultural and Fish Commodity Growth: Global agricultural and fish production is projected to grow by 14% through 2034, primarily driven by productivity gains in middle-income nations.
- Rise in Animal Product Consumption: Global per capita calorie intake from livestock and fish products is expected to increase by 6% over the next decade, driven by growth in lower-middle-income countries, where intake is anticipated to rise by 24% nearly four times the global average.
- This increase will raise daily intake in lower-middle-income countries to 364 kcal, but low-income countries will remain far behind, with an intake of just 143 kcal, well below the 300 kcal/day target for a healthy diet.
How does the Rising Demand for Biofuels Impact Global Food Security?
- Land Use: Growing biofuel crops can reduce land available for food production. To meet the E20 target, India would need 7.1 million hectares (around 3% of its total cropped area), raising serious concerns about land use and food security.
- Pressure on Water and Resources: Biofuel crops require significant water (ethanol production uses 8-12 liters of water per liter of ethanol) and fertilizers, straining resources needed for food farming.
- Food Inflation: Biofuels raise food prices by increasing demand for feedstock crops. India’s ethanol shift to maize and rice may divert food supplies, with rice prices rising 14.5% in 2023, hitting poor households hardest.
- Poorer nations face greater risks of food insecurity due to reduced access and affordability.
- Environmental Trade-offs: Expansion of biofuel crops can lead to deforestation and biodiversity loss, indirectly affecting food systems.
How Can Sustainable Biofuel and Food Security Policies Be Ensured?
- Feedstock Diversification: Promoting 3G ethanol (from microalgae using wastewater/sewage/seawater) offers a sustainable alternative to 1G (sugarcane, wheat, rice) and 2G (crop residues) biofuels, avoiding food and water stress.
- India can also invest in developing genetically modified (GM) crops specifically tailored for biofuel production to boost yields and reduce pressure on food crops.
- Zoning and Land Use Planning: Implement a biofuel zoning policy that prevents diversion of fertile agricultural land.
- Use marginal and wastelands for biofuel crops under strict ecological safeguards to avoid deforestation or biodiversity loss.
- Crop Diversification Incentives: Strengthen Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and procurement for diverse food grains to counter biofuel-driven monocultures.
- Align ethanol procurement policies with food surplus seasons to avoid market distortion.
- Improving Productivity and Sustainability: Increased agricultural productivity is critical to reduce undernourishment and curb GHG emissions.
- The report suggests that global undernourishment could be eradicated and emissions reduced by 7% with 15% productivity improvements and investments in emissions-reduction technologies (e.g., precision farming, livestock feed enhancements, and low-cost practices like crop rotations).
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- OECD is an intergovernmental body established in 1961 to promote economic growth and global trade. Headquartered in Paris, France it has 38 member countries, mostly high-income nations with high Human Development Index (HDI).
- While India is not a member, it is a key economic partner.
- The OECD releases several important reports and indices, including Government at a Glance and the Better Life Index.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- The FAO is the UN’s oldest specialized agency, founded in 1945, with headquarters in Rome. Its mandate is to fight hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
- With 194 member states and the EU, FAO supports countries through research, technical aid, education, and data services.
- It focuses on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and resource management, but food relief is handled by the World Food Programme.
- Key reports include State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), State of the World's Forests (SOFO), State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), and State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA).
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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss how the rising global demand for biofuels is creating trade-offs between food security.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Given below are the names of four energy crops. Which one of them can be cultivated for ethanol? (2010)
(a) Jatropha
(b) Maize
(c) Pongamia
(d) Sunflower
Ans: (b)
Q. According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? (2020)
- Cassava
- Damaged wheat grains
- Groundnut seeds
- Horse gram
- Rotten potatoes
- Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Ans: (a)
Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Pulses
21-06-2025
For Prelims: Pulses, Minimum Support Price (MSP), El Niño, Mission for Self-reliance in Pulses, Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme, Soil Health Cards, PM-AASHA Scheme, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Intercropping, Zero-till Farming.
For Mains: Trends in India’s pulses production and imports, Issues regarding India’s pulses production and import, Measures needed to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses.
Source: IE
Why in News?
Farmers are forced to sell pulses in the open market at low prices despite the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP), due to inadequate procurement.
- This reflects a deeper crisis — Indian pulses farmers face neglect in MSP procurement while record imports flood the market, further depressing domestic prices.
What are Key Facts About Pulses?
- About: Pulses are edible seeds of leguminous plants, harvested solely for their dry grains, and belong to the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family.
- Pulses are high in protein, fiber, and nutrients, low in fat, act as nitrogen-fixing crops that improve soil fertility, and have a long shelf life when dried.
- Climatic Conditions: Pulses require 20–27°C temperature, 25–60 cm rainfall, and sandy-loamy soil, and are cultivated year-round.
- Rabi Pulses (contribute over 60%): Gram (chickpea), Chana (Bengal gram), Masoor (lentil); they need mild cold for sowing, cold for growth, and warm for harvest.
- Kharif Pulses: Moong (green gram), Urad (black gram), Arhar (pigeon pea); they need a warm climate throughout their growth cycle.
- India’s Production Status: India is the largest producer (25%), consumer (27%), and importer (14%) of pulses globally. Top producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
- Pulses cover 20% of food grain area but contribute only 7–10% of total production, with gram (40%) as the dominant crop, followed by Tur/Arhar (15–20%) and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong (8–10% each).

- India’s Pulses Import Status: In 2024-25, pulses imports hit an all-time high of 7.3 mt worth USD 5.5 billion in 2024-25, surpassing the 2016-17 record of 6.6 mt and USD 4.2 billion.
- The major sources of pulses for India were Canada, Russia, Australia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar, and the US.
- After 2017-18, imports had dipped to an average 2.6 mt (USD 1.7 billion), but El Niño-induced drought in 2023-24 reversed self-sufficiency, with production falling to 24.2 mt, and partly recovering to 25.2 mt in 2024-25.
What are the Key Reasons Behind Low Pulses Production in India?
- MSP & Policy Bias: Government MSP policies favor wheat and rice, while subsidies on water, electricity, and fertilizers promote water-intensive crops like paddy, causing farmers to shift away from pulses.
- Unlike rice and wheat, pulses procurement is inconsistent, further discouraging their cultivation.
- Climatic Vulnerabilities: Pulses are mostly grown in rain-fed areas, making them highly dependent on monsoon rains.
- They are less resilient to extreme weather than wheat and rice, and suffer frequent damage from droughts, unseasonal rains, and erratic monsoons.
- Low Productivity & Stagnant Yields: The average yield of pulses in India is 660 kg/ha, below the world average of 909 kg/ha, due to poor seed quality, lack of HYVs, and limited adoption of improved techniques.
- Research and development in pulses has seen slow growth compared to cereals like rice and wheat .
- Fragmented Farming: Most pulse farmers are small and marginal (owning <2 hectares), leading to low economies of scale and difficulty in investing in better seeds, irrigation, and fertilizers.
- Soil & Pest Challenges: Pulses, being high in proteins, amino acids, and micronutrients, are more prone to pest infestations and attract more pests and diseases than many other crops.
- They also face challenges like soil salinity, nutrient deficiencies, and limited use of crop protection technologies due to cost constraint.
What are India’s Initiatives to Boost Pulses Production?
What Measures are Needed to Achieve Self-Sufficiency in Pulses?
- Increase Productivity: Promote high-yielding, climate and disease-resistant varieties like pigeon pea hybrids and biofortified pulses (e.g., iron-rich lentils) for better yield and nutrition.
- Expand micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler) in key pulse states (MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra) and utilize rice fallow lands for post-kharif pulses.
- Encourage precision farming through soil health cards, sensor-based irrigation, and AI-driven pest management.
- Policy & MSP Reforms: Strengthen MSP procurement by ensuring timely purchase of pulses and expanding the PM-AASHA scheme to cover more farmers.
- Rebalance subsidies by reducing support for water-intensive crops (rice, sugarcane) to promote pulses, and encourage crop diversification from paddy-wheat monoculture to pulses and millets through incentives.
- Improve Storage: Expand modern warehousing, silos, and hermetic storage to reduce post-harvest losses of pulses (currently 5-10%) and strengthen processing infrastructure with support for mini dal mills, fortification, and packaging near farms.
- Boost Research & Extension Services: Increase R&D funding to develop short-duration, high-yield varieties like early-maturing moong for multiple cropping.
- Buffer Stock Policy: Maintain a dynamic buffer stock of 2.5–3 million tonnes to cushion price shocks, and regulate imports by imposing tariffs in surplus years while allowing imports during shortages.
Conclusion
India’s pulses sector faces challenges of low MSP procurement, climate vulnerability, and rising imports, hurting farmers despite record production. To achieve self-sufficiency, policy reforms, better procurement, R&D in high-yield varieties, and storage infrastructure are crucial. Balancing imports with domestic incentives can stabilize prices, boost farmer incomes, and ensure food security.
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Drishti Mains Question:
"Despite being the largest producer of pulses, India remains heavily import-dependent." Discuss the key challenges in India’s pulses sector and suggest measures to achieve self-sufficiency.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements: (2020)
- Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
- Green gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
- In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)

Nothopegia Fossil Leaves
21-06-2025
Source: PIB
Fossilized leaves of Nothopegia, dated to 24–23 million years ago (late Oligocene epoch), were discovered in Assam’s Makum Coalfield.
- Researchers used morphological comparison with modern species, cluster analysis for identification, and CLAMP (Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program) to identify the fossils and reconstruct the ancient climate of the region.
Nothopegia
- About: Nothopegia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, which also includes mango.
- It comprises several tropical tree species valued for their ecological and medicinal significance.
- Present Distribution: Currently, Nothopegia is found exclusively in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot in peninsular India.
- Botanical Features: These leaves are broad with reticulate venation and are typically adapted to warm, humid tropical climates.
- The fossils show a strong resemblance to current Nothopegia species in the Western Ghats.
- Cause of Extinction in the Northeast:
- The tectonic uplift of the Himalayas led to major climatic shifts in the region.
- Alterations in temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns made the Northeast unsuitable for tropical species like Nothopegia.
- As a result, the genus became extinct in the Northeast but survived in the climatically stable Western Ghats, showcasing an example of climate-driven species migration.

Makum Coalfield
- Located in Margherita, Tinsukia district of Assam, it is the only coal-producing region in Northeast India.
- It is also a significant paleobotanical site, rich in Tertiary-period fossil records.

Curbing Fake News in India
20-09-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology in the Parliament has proposed several measures aimed at curbing the spread of ‘fake news’ and misinformation, highlighting the potential harm such content can cause to public order and democratic processes.
What are the Key Recommendations to Curb Fake News?
- Fact-checking Mechanisms: The committee favors making it mandatory for all media organizations to have a fact-checking mechanism and an internal ombudsman to oversee editorial content.
- Penal Provisions: It suggests amendments to laws to increase fines and hold media accountable for editorial content and discourage the spread of misinformation.
- The panel supports a clear definition of 'fake news' and incorporates it into existing media regulations while ensuring that such efforts do not infringe on freedom of speech or individual rights.
- Strengthening the Press Council of India: Create a complaint portal and an independent monitoring body for better oversight
- Regulation of AI-generated Content: Licensing for AI content creators and mandatory labeling of AI-generated material, such as videos, to enhance transparency and reduce the spread of deceptive material.
What is the Need to Curb Fake News?
- Threat to Democracy: Fake news can manipulate public opinion, especially during elections, undermining the democratic process.
- Fake news undermines citizens’ right to information, which is protected under Article 19 as upheld by the Supreme Court of India in Raj Narayan vs. Uttar Pradesh Government (1975).
- Disruption of Public Order: Misinformation can lead to violence and unrest, threatening social stability.
- In 2018, WhatsApp rumors about child kidnappers in India led to mob lynchings across several states, causing deaths and public disorder.
- Erosion of Trust: Fake news reduces trust in media and institutions, making it harder for society to make informed decisions.
- During the Covid-19 pandemic, misinformation regarding vaccines and treatments circulated widely, causing people to question government health guidelines and delaying vaccination efforts.
- National Security Risks: Misinformation can destabilize nations and create divisions, posing a security threat.
- Health and Safety Risks: False health information can lead to dangerous behaviors, negatively affecting public health by causing panic, fear, depression, and fatigue.
What are the Challenges in Regulating Fake News?
- Defining Fake News: Defining what constitutes "fake news" is subjective, there is no universally accepted definition making it difficult to distinguish fake news from opinions, satire, or commentary.
- Freedom of Speech: Excessive regulation risks curbing the fundamental right to free speech under Article 19 of the Constitution. Balancing regulation with democratic freedoms is complex.
- Rapid Spread on Digital Platforms: Social media enables instant sharing of content, allowing fake news to go viral before fact-checking can occur. This rapid dissemination makes timely intervention difficult.
- Many social media platforms are based outside India, creating legal and jurisdictional challenges in enforcement and accountability.
- Technological Complexity: AI-generated content, deepfakes, and automated bots can create highly realistic misinformation that is hard to detect. Laws often lag behind these fast-evolving technologies.
- The anonymity provided by the internet allows people to spread false information without accountability. This makes it difficult to trace the originators of fake news and hold them responsible.
- Low Digital Literacy: A significant portion of the population lacks the skills to critically evaluate information online, making them more vulnerable to misleading content.
- Risk of Government Overreach: Heavy-handed regulation may be perceived as censorship, potentially undermining trust in authorities and media institutions.
- Political and Social Polarization: In politically or socially polarized environments, people may be more likely to accept fake news that aligns with their beliefs, making it harder to regulate and challenge misinformation effectively.
What are India’s Initiatives to Prevent Spread of Fake News?
- Press Council of India (PCI): Provides guidelines for ethical journalism.
- IT Act, 2000: Empowers the government to regulate intermediaries and online content.
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact-Check Unit: Counters government-related misinformation.
- Election Commission of India (ECI): ECI introduced 'Myth vs Reality Register' to proactively combat mis-information in General Elections 2024.
- ECI also conducts campaigns to counter fake news during polls.
- Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Advisory ( 2024): Prohibits promotion of online betting and surrogate ads targeting Indian users.
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Framework for law enforcement to tackle cybercrimes.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: Allows citizens to report cybercrimes; routed to State/UT police for action.
What Robust Mechanism can Strengthen Fake News Regulation in India?
- Strengthen Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Legislation should precisely distinguish fake news from opinions, satire, or dissent to avoid misuse.
- Singapore’s criminal laws on misinformation and EU’s self-regulatory code provide insights on balancing regulation and enforcement.
- Empower and Institutionalize Fact-Checking: Fact-checking organizations should be certified by a central body, with regular audits to ensure adherence to quality standards.
- The European Fact-Checking Standards Network offers models for transparency and reliability.
- Platform Accountability and Regulation: They must ensure transparency by disclosing recommendation and amplification algorithms to prevent the viral spread of false information, as exemplified by the EU Digital Services Act, which mandates platform accountability and swift removal of illegal content.
- Additionally, platforms should clearly label synthetic or AI-generated content to keep users informed and aware of manipulated or automated material.
- Leverage Technology and AI Responsibly: AI tools can amplify fake news, but with purpose-built AI tools and human oversight, it can also mitigate it at scale.
- Promote Media Literacy and Public Awareness: Integrate digital literacy into school curricula and encourage critical thinking and responsible sharing behavior on social media.
- Use local influencers, fact-checkers, and NGOs to reach linguistically and culturally diverse populations.
- Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Align efforts of MeitY, MIB, MHA, and Consumer Affairs for unified action. Ensure content removal or penalties are subject to review to prevent misuse.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Examine how India can balance freedom of speech and regulation of misinformation in the digital age.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q. What do you understand by the concept of “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. (2014)

NE-SPARKS
20-09-2025
Source: PIB
The Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region interacted with school students from the North Eastern Region (NER) who participated in the NE-SPARKS program.
NE-SPARKS
- About: The 'North East Students' Programme for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space' (NE-SPARKS) is a flagship initiative to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) from NER.
- Collaborative Effort: It is supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in collaboration with the 8 North Eastern States, North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC)-ISRO.
- Funding: The program is funded by the MDoNER and the state Govt. in 60:40 ratio respectively. NESAC is the nodal agency.
- Scale & Reach: The program aims to facilitate exposure visits for 800 meritorious science students (100 from each NE state) to premier ISRO centres, like those in Bengaluru.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
20-08-2025
Source: IE
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will start commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production from used cooking oil at its Panipat refinery after ISCC CORSIA (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification for CORSIA) certification, marking India’s first SAF plant and a key step in reducing aviation emissions.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- About: SAF is a biofuel produced from sustainable feedstocks, chemically similar to conventional Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), and can be used in existing aircraft engines and infrastructure without modifications (‘drop-in’ fuel).
- Possible Feedstocks for SAF: Oils & fats (Used Cooking Oil, algae oils, animal fats, oil-rich seeds), municipal solid waste, agricultural/forestry residues (sugarcane bagasse, husks etc), and sugars & starches via Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) pathway.
- The ATJ pathway converts renewable alcohols (ethanol, butanol) from sugars, starches, or residues into hydrocarbon-based SAF.
- Significance: SAF reduces GHG emissions by up to 80%, contributes over 60% to aviation decarbonisation, boosts energy security, creates green jobs, and supports up to 50% fuel blends.
- Challenges in SAF Adoption: SAF faces high costs (2-3 times conventional fuel), infrastructure gaps, and challenges in feedstock collection due to seasonal and scattered supply.
ISCC CORSIA Certification
- ISCC CORSIA ensures compliance with ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
- From 2027 (mandatory phase), international airlines must offset emissions above 2020 levels, with SAF blending being a key compliance route.
- CORSIA is a global ICAO initiative to limit international aviation CO₂ emissions growth by stabilizing net emissions at 2020 levels through carbon offsetting, credits, and SAF.
India’s Roadmap
- NBCC (National Biofuel Coordination Committee) targets 1% SAF blending in 2027 and 2% in 2028 for international flights, with domestic mandate post-2027.
- This supports Net Zero 2070, gives a first-mover advantage, promotes a circular economy (UCO recycling), and opens export opportunities to European airlines.
Kerala Model for Sustainable Urbanisation in India
19-09-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Kerala is the first State in India to set up an Urban Policy Commission (KUPC) with a 25-year roadmap to manage rapid urbanisation sustainably.
- KUPC report, submitted to the State government, has drawn national attention as the Kerala model offers lessons for other States in balancing growth with climate resilience, governance reform, and financial empowerment.
What are the Key Recommendations of the KUPC Report for Sustainable Urbanisation?
- Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC): It was set up to rethink Kerala’s urban future, viewing cities as climate-aware ecosystems rather than just infrastructure clusters.
- With Kerala’s urbanisation expected to cross 80% by 2050 and rising climate risks, the KUPC recommends a place-based strategy focusing on climate resilience, finance, governance, city identity, and inclusive well-being.
- Key Recommendations:
- Climate-Sensitive Urban Planning: Use hazard maps (floods, landslides, coastal risks) in zoning rules to prevent disaster-prone development.
- Real-Time Urban Data System: Set up a digital observatory using tools like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) satellite data, and weather sensors to guide municipalities.
- Green Fees & Climate Insurance: Introduce green fees for eco-sensitive projects and parametric climate insurance to fund resilience and disaster response.
- Municipal and Pooled Bonds: Major cities can issue municipal bonds, while smaller towns should adopt pooled bond models for infrastructure funding.
- Urban Governance Reforms: Create elected city cabinets led by mayors. Form expert teams in municipalities for waste, climate, transport, etc.
- Launch “Jnanashree” to recruit skilled youth into local governance.
- Place-Based Urban Growth and Inclusive Planning: Recognize and promote unique strengths of each city (e.g., Kochi as a FinTech hub, Thiruvananthapuram & Kollam as a knowledge corridor, Kozhikode as a literary city, and Palakkad & Kasaragod as smart-industrial centres).
- Restore wetlands, waterways, and heritage zones to preserve local ecosystems and cultural heritage.
- Establish City Health Councils to provide healthcare and welfare support for migrants, gig workers, and students, ensuring equitable urban services.
- Community-Driven Data: Advocates blending community experiences (like those of fisherfolk and street vendors) into urban data systems, making planning participatory and grounded.
Urbanisation in India
- According to the World Bank, India’s urban population will reach 600 million (40%) by 2036, up from 31% in 2011, with cities driving nearly 70% of GDP.
- Key Drivers of Urbanisation in India:
- Demographic Transition & Migration: Rural–urban migration driven by jobs, education, healthcare, and better amenities.
- Agrarian distress, shrinking landholdings, and climate change push migration further.
- Economic Transformation: Shift from agriculture to industry and services. Expansion of IT, manufacturing, and services makes cities engines of growth, innovation, and employment.
- Policy Push & Urban Missions: Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0, and National Infrastructure Pipeline reshape urban infrastructure, improve housing, and promote entrepreneurial hubs.
- Technological Integration: AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital public infrastructure (DPIs) enable smart governance, efficient service delivery, and better resource management in cities.
- Globalisation & Aspirations: Integration into global markets and rising aspirations of the youth accelerate demand for urban lifestyles, consumption patterns, and modern urban spaces.

What Measures Can the Kerala Model Offer for India’s Urban Planning?
- Mnemonic: KERALA
- K – Knowledge & Community Data: Blend satellite and sensor data with citizen inputs, ensuring policies reflect lived realities.
- E – Elected & Specialist Governance: Shift from bureaucratic inertia to elected city cabinets, specialist municipal cells, and youth technocrats.
- Set up time-bound urban commissions tailored to local geography, culture, and climate instead of relying only on centralised frameworks.
- R – Resilience & Climate Integration: Make hazard mapping and resilience integral to every stage of planning, not an afterthought.
- A – Autonomy in Finances: Equip municipalities with tools like pooled bonds, green fees, and climate insurance for fiscal autonomy.
- L – Livelihood & Land-sensitive Planning: Promote regional economic hubs rooted in local strengths while safeguarding commons, culture, and heritage.
- A – Awareness & Citizen Participation: Strengthen voluntarism, community engagement, and public participation in urban planning decisions.

|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. India’s urban planning must shift from bureaucratic inertia to participatory and place-based governance. Discuss
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Mains:
Q. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (2016)
Q. Do government schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies? (2014)
Stubble Burning in India
19-09-2025
For Prelims: Environment Protection Act, 1986 (EPA), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act, 2021, Southwest Monsoon, Volatile Organic Compounds, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, MSP, Biofuel, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization, Biochar.
For Mains: Impacts of stubble burning, reasons behind it, methods for recycling and reuse, and potential solutions for mitigation.
Source: TH
Why in News?
To address the Delhi pollution crisis, the Supreme Court directed Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to fill State Pollution Control Board vacancies within three months and urged the Union Government to impose penal measures against stubble burning.
What is Stubble Burning?
- About: It refers to the practice of setting fire to the leftover straw after harvesting crops like paddy and wheat.
- It is commonly used to clear paddy crop residues from fields before sowing wheat, typically between late September and early November.
- This practice is most prevalent in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh during this period.
- Reason for Stubble Burning:
- Mono-Cropping Patterns: The minimum support price (MSP) system primarily favors wheat and rice, encouraging mono-cropping patterns.
- As a result, farmers often resort to burning crop residues to quickly prepare their fields for the next planting season.
- Cost-Effectiveness: It is much cheaper compared to other methods of residue disposal, such as incorporating the stubble into the soil or using machinery like balers or shredders, which require significant investment and labor.
- Weed Management: Fire helps in eliminating weeds and their seeds present in the crop residues, reducing the need for additional herbicides. It is a simple way to control weed growth before sowing the next crop.
- Limited Residue Management Options: There is inadequate infrastructure or awareness about alternative residue management practices, such as composting or using crop residue for bioenergy. This makes stubble burning a default practice.
- Impact of Climate Variability: Erratic monsoons and rising temperatures delay harvesting, pushing farmers to burn stubble to meet sowing deadlines.
- Impacts:
- Air Pollution: Stubble burning releases major air pollutants like PM10, PM2.5, NOx, methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- These pollutants create smog that spreads in the air and raises the risk of asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and lung cancer.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The practice contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, thereby accelerating global warming.
- Soil Fertility Loss: Burning crop residue destroys nutrients in the soil, reducing fertility. The heat penetration also leads to loss of soil moisture and kills beneficial microbes, further degrading soil health.

What are the Challenges in Controlling Stubble Burning in India?
- Technology and Infrastructure Gaps: Standard combine harvesters leave behind 10–15 cm of stubble, which is difficult to manage without specialized equipment.
- Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) often lack sufficient machinery, and many farmers face logistical challenges in accessing these resources.
- The high silica content in paddy straw can damage machinery when used as feedstock, and the absence of an efficient supply chain for biomass collection and processing exacerbates the problem.
- Policy Hurdles: Unclear definitions of stubble burning and environmental compensation, along with confusing Red Entry compliance markings, create challenges that further burden farmers.
- Current policies often emphasize penalties over incentives, discouraging farmers from adopting eco-friendly practices.
- Economic and Funding Limitations: Limited subsidies for machinery adoption and weak frameworks for utilizing the environmental compensation fund hinder effective implementation.
- Other Barriers: There is a significant gap in training programs on sustainable alternatives to stubble burning, leading to a reliance on traditional practices.
India's Initiatives to Tackle Stubble Burning
- Framework by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):
- In-Situ Crop Residue Management: Focuses on managing crop residues on the field using farm machinery, Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs), faster-growing paddy varieties, staggered harvesting, and bio-decomposers.
- Ex-Situ Crop Residue Utilization: Encourages alternative uses of paddy straw, such as biomass power, co-firing in thermal plants, 2G ethanol and compressed biogas production, and making packaging materials.
- Ban and Enforcement: Imposes prohibition on stubble burning through monitoring, enforcement, and environmental compensation to reduce air pollution from crop residue.
- Financial Support: Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), farmers receive financial assistance for procuring agricultural machinery and equipment, especially small and marginal farmers.
- Technological Interventions:
- Happy Seeder: Tractor-mounted device, sows wheat, paddy fields, cutting straw, avoiding burning, saving time, improving soil health.
- Pusa Decomposer: Microbial formulation, converts stubble, compost, enhancing soil fertility.
- Pelletization: Crop residues, biomass pellets, energy, reducing burning, generating income.
- Biochar Production: Stubble converted, biochar, improving soil fertility, water retention, microbial activity, carbon sequestration.
- Local Initiatives:
- Chhattisgarh: Gauthans-village plots where collected stubble is converted into organic fertilizer using cow dung and natural enzymes, creating employment for rural youth.
- Punjab: Mobile apps i-Khet and Cooperative Machinery Tracker facilitate farmers’ access to crop residue management machinery
What Strategies can India Adopt to Curb Stubble Burning?
- Legal Reforms: A parliamentary standing committee has proposed setting a MSP for paddy residue to reduce stubble burning, a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi.
- The recommendation came from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, which reviewed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Rules, 2023.
- Infrastructure and Logistics: Implement real-time crop mapping, forecast crop maturity, build temporary storage facilities, and support local supply chains and aggregators.
- Innovative Farming Technologies: Use tools like Microbe Pusa to turn stubble into compost within 25 days and the Happy Seeder to sow wheat without burning residue.
- Encourage short-duration paddy varieties, standardize procurement processes, and enforce seed certification to reduce residue.
- Convert wheat stubble into cattle fodder and recycle it for manure, paper, cardboard, biofuel, and power generation.
- Economic Support and Pricing: Provide guaranteed prices for stubble, set benchmark prices annually, and ensure returns cover collection and labor costs.
- Post-Harvest Solutions: Introduce programs similar to MGNREGA for harvesting and composting stubble, regulate residue management, and reward farmers who adopt eco-friendly practices.
Conclusion
Stubble burning remains a significant environmental and health challenge in North India, driven by crop patterns, limited alternatives, and climate variability. Combating it requires a multi-pronged approach, combining technological interventions, financial incentives, regulatory measures, and local innovations to ensure sustainable residue management, reduce air pollution, and protect soil fertility.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Analyze the various factors that perpetuate the practice of stubble burning in North-West India despite the availability of technological solutions and government interventions.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following agricultural practices: (2012)
- Contour bunding
- Relay cropping
- Zero tillage
In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of them
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. What are the major factors responsible for making the rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success, how has this system become bane in India? (2020)
Q. Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (2015)
India-AI Impact Summit 2026
19-09-2025
Source: PIB
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has revealed the official logo and key flagship initiatives for the India-AI Impact Summit February 2026. This event marks a historic occasion as it is the first time a Global South nation will host the summit.
- Flagship Initiatives: AI Pitch Fest (UDAAN) (showcasing Tier 2 & 3 AI startups), Global Innovation Challenges (promoting AI solutions for public issues), and AI Expo.
- Official Logo: The logo features the Ashoka Chakra, symbolizing ethical governance and constitutional values, with neural network flares representing AI’s transformative impact across languages, industries, and geographies.
India-AI Impact Summit 2026
- Hosted by MeitY, it will be held in February 2026 in New Delhi.
- Summit Sutras: Guided by the principles or Sutras of People, Planet, and Progress.
- People: AI must serve all humans inclusively, respecting culture and ensuring accessibility.
- Planet: AI should be resource-efficient, eco-friendly, and aligned with sustainability goals.
- Progress: AI benefits must be equitable, with open access to data, compute, and applications in key sectors.
- Seven Chakras: Sutras are implemented via seven Chakras, focusing on multilateral cooperation to achieve tangible AI outcomes.

- MeitY also launched eight indigenous AI foundational model projects targeting multilingual, healthcare, scientific, industrial, governance, and agricultural applications.

Golden Dome Missile Defense System
19-08-2025
Source: DD
The US has finalized the design of the Golden Dome missile defense system.
Golden Dome Missile Defense System
- About: It is an advanced multilayered missile defense system with space-based sensors and interceptors to protect the US from foreign missile attacks.
- It is designed to counter hypersonic, ballistic, cruise missiles, and drones globally through satellite-based sensors.
- It is inspired by Israel's Iron Dome and former US President Reagan’s 1983 Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars Programme).
- It will integrate components from existing US missile defense systems, including Patriot batteries, THAAD, Aegis BMD, and Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD).
- Functioning: Using a network of hundreds of satellites, it targets missiles in the boost phase, immediately after launch, intercepting them before or shortly after they enter space.
Global Missile Defence Systems
|
System
|
Range (km)
|
Features
|
|
Iron Dome (Israel)
|
70
|
Intercepts rockets and drones targeting populated areas; radar-based detection
|
|
S-400 Triumph (Russia)
|
400
|
Multi-missile system; engages stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and multiple targets
|
|
Barak-8 (Israel/India)
|
70–100
|
Land and naval system; 360° protection against aircraft, missiles, and UAVs
|
|
HQ-9 (China)
|
125
|
Inspired by S-300; intercepts UAVs, aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles
|

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
19-08-2025
Source: TH
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (DSNP) in Assam is witnessing significant ecological changes due to native and invasive plant species.
Major Threats:
- Invasive Plants: Species like Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Mikania micrantha outcompete native flora, degrade grasslands, and threaten grassland-dependent fauna.
- Native Grassland Invaders: Bombax ceiba (Simalu) and Lagerstroemia speciosa (Ajar) alter natural vegetation, increasing shrubland and degraded forest cover.
- Flooding and Anthropogenic Pressures: Recurring Brahmaputra floods, forest villages, grazing, and resource extraction causing soil erosion, fragment habitats, and accelerating biodiversity loss.
- Land Use & Land Cover Changes (2000–2024): Conversion of Grasslands and semi-evergreen forests to shrubland and degraded forests reducing habitat for endemic and grassland-dependent species like Bengal florican, Hog deer, and Swamp grass babbler, and threatening endemic feral horses (around 200 individuals left).
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (DSNP)
- Location: Located in Assam, is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers(north) and Dibru River (south).
- Biosphere Reserve: In 1997, UNESCO designated the area as a Biosphere Reserve.
- Vegetation & Climate: Semi-evergreen, deciduous, littoral, swamp, and wet evergreen forests, including the largest Salix swamp forest in northeast India.
- It has a tropical monsoon climate with hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters.
- Flora & Fauna: Flora: Dillenia indica, Bischofia javanica, Bombax ceiba, Lagerstroemia parviflora.
- Fauna: tiger, elephant, leopard, jungle cat, bears, small Indian civet, squirrels, Gangetic dolphin, slow loris, Assamese macaque.
- It is an important Bird Area (IBA) with 382+ bird species, including greater and lesser adjutant storks, greater crested grebe.
Note:
- Assam has 7 national parks:

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
19-07-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
The Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a major initiative aimed at transforming Indian agriculture. Originally announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, the scheme has an annual outlay of Rs 24,000 crore for six years, starting from 2025–26.
What is the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana?
- About: PMDDKY is a comprehensive farm programme designed to enhance productivity, promote sustainable practices, and improve livelihoods.
- It merges 36 schemes from 11 Union Ministries to create a unified agricultural support system.
- The scheme is inspired by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme, PMDDKY targets 100 underperforming districts to boost farm productivity through better irrigation, storage, and credit access while promoting sustainable practices.
- District Selection Criteria:
- Low Productivity: Districts with low agricultural output per hectare.
- Low Cropping Intensity: Regions with limited crop variety or insufficient crop cycles per year.
- Low Credit Disbursement: Areas with limited access to financial resources for farmers.
- Representation Across States: The selection will consider the share of Net Cropped Area and operational holdings in each state/union territory.
- A minimum of one district will be selected from each state to ensure balanced regional development.
- Implementation and Monitoring:
- District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plans: Each district will prepare a plan through the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, involving progressive farmers, aligned with national goals like crop diversification, water conservation, and agricultural self-sufficiency.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Progress will be tracked through 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) using a dedicated dashboard, with monthly reviews.
- Central Nodal Officers will be appointed for each district to ensure smooth implementation. NITI Aayog will guide and review district plans regularly.
- Committees at Various Levels: Committees at the district, state, and national levels will oversee planning, implementation, and progress monitoring to ensure the scheme’s effectiveness.
- Expected Outcomes: 1.7 crore farmers across India are expected to benefit directly.
- The scheme integrates allied sectors like livestock, dairy, and fisheries to add value and create local livelihoods. It focuses on post-harvest storage, improved irrigation, easier credit access, and promotes natural and organic farming, enhancing rural economic resilience.

Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)
- Launch: Initiated in 2018 by the Government of India to uplift 112 of the most underdeveloped districts.
- Focus Areas: Health, nutrition, education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.
- Key Principles and Approach:
- 3Cs Framework:
- Convergence: Coordination between various central and state schemes.
- Collaboration: Involvement of district, state, and national agencies.
- Competition: Healthy competition among districts to drive development.
- Data-Driven Governance: Progress is tracked using a public platform, the Champions of Change Dashboard, which monitors 49 indicators across five areas.
- Monitoring: The Champions of Change Dashboard monitors progress across 49 indicators, focusing on real-world issues such as infant mortality, school dropout rates, sanitation, and crop productivity.
- Unlike traditional rankings, ADP employs the delta ranking system that measures the pace of progress, motivating districts to compete against their own past performances.
- Success Stories:
- Chamba, Himachal Pradesh: Once a symbol of rural deprivation. In February 2022, it became the 100th district to achieve “Har Ghar Jal” status, providing every household with clean tap water.
- The district also saw 100% coverage under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), ensuring financial inclusion.
- Notable District Successes: By 2019, 8 districts moved from Tier IV to Tier I showcasing significant improvement in agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
- Andhra Pradesh stood out, with 2 of its 3 Aspirational Districts ranking in the top 10, showing strong sectoral progress.
- Global Recognition of ADP: Singapore’s highlighted ADP as a "globally relevant model" for empowering communities and strengthening local health systems.
- The ADP’s emphasis on localized, inclusive governance has been recognized as a model that can be replicated in other developing countries.
What are India's Initiatives Promoting Agricultural Productivity in India?
- Increased Budget Allocation for Agriculture: The sharp rise in the agriculture budget from Rs 11,915 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 1,22,528 crore in 2024-25 has enabled greater investment in inputs, research, irrigation, and infrastructure, all of which contribute to higher productivity.
- Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) launched in 2020, has supported over 87,500 projects, boosting post-harvest infrastructure such as warehouses and cold chains. This has helped reduce crop losses and encouraged the cultivation of high-value crops.
- Crop Yield Improvements: Between 2013-14 and 2023-24, yields for key crops like rice, wheat, maize, and pulses saw notable increases.
- For instance, crop yields rose with rice (19.3%), wheat (13.2%), maize (25.2%) and coarse cereals (71.5%).
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) Enhancements: MSP revisions, ensuring at least 50% profit over the cost of production, have encouraged farmers to invest more in inputs and better crop management, indirectly supporting productivity.
- e-NAM Integration and Market Access: Better price discovery through electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) (1,410 mandis linked) has incentivized farmers to adopt higher-yield crops and improve quality.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Crop insurance under PMFBY encourages risk-taking and adoption of modern practices. Farmers are more likely to invest in better technologies if crop failure risks are covered.
- Soil Health Cards: Over 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed, helping farmers use the right fertilisers and improve crop yields while reducing harmful chemical use.
- Fertiliser Subsidies: For 2025–26, the government allocated over Rs 1.67 lakh crore for fertiliser subsidies, making up nearly 70% of the agriculture budget and 40% of total subsidy spending.
- Institutional Credit Expansion & Kisan Credit Card (KCC): The growth in short-term agri credit from Rs 6.4 lakh crore (2014-15) to Rs 15.07 lakh crore (2023-24) has given farmers better access to inputs like fertilizers, quality seeds, and machinery, all of which support productivity.
- As of 2024, there are 7.75 crore active KCC accounts with ₹9.81 lakh crore in loans.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss how the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana aims to transform agriculture in underperforming districts.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)
Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). (2016)
Rising Cyber Frauds in India
19-07-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has reported a sharp surge in financial cyber frauds targeting Indian citizens, primarily originating from Southeast Asian countries.
What is the State of Financial Cyber Frauds in India as per I4C Analysis?
- Rising Financial Losses: In the first half of 2025, India lost an average of Rs 1,000 crore per month to cyber frauds, totaling Rs 7,000 crore.
- According to the I4C,the projected annual loss may exceed Rs 1.2 lakh crore (Rs 1.2 trillion) in 2025, amounting to 0.7% of India’s GDP.
- Origin & Nature of Scams: Over 50% of cyber frauds targeting Indians originated from Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, operated from high-security compounds allegedly run by Chinese handlers.
- These primarily involve stock trading/investment scams, digital arrest scams & task-based and investment-based scams.
- Indian intelligence has identified 45 scam centres in Cambodia, 5 in Laos, and 1 in Myanmar.
- Modus Operandi: Victims, including Indians, are being trafficked via fake job offers and routed through countries like Dubai, China, and Thailand to operate cyber scams.
- Recruitment agents are active across Indian states (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, J&K, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi).
- Systemic Gaps & Enforcement Action: India’s cyber fraud ecosystem is exploited due to loopholes in digital banking transactions, issuance of ghost SIM cards by PoS agents in the telecom sector, and weak verification processes in immigration, enabling anonymous and cross-border cybercrimes.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
- About: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020 to provide a comprehensive and coordinated response to cybercrime, including financial frauds.
- Key Objectives:
- Act as the national nodal agency to monitor, prevent, and investigate cybercrimes, especially those targeting women, children, and critical infrastructure.
- Provide an early warning system and facilitate trend analysis, pattern recognition, and data sharing among law enforcement agencies.
- Enable easy reporting of cybercrime and promote public awareness on cyber hygiene and fraud prevention.
- Assist States/UTs in building capacity of police, prosecutors, and judicial officers in areas like cyber forensics and investigation.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: A citizen-centric platform under I4C that enables individuals to report cyber frauds online. Reported complaints are forwarded to the relevant law enforcement agencies for necessary legal action.
What are Cyber Frauds?
- About: Cyber frauds are criminal activities conducted using digital technology (internet) to deceive individuals or organizations for financial gain.
- It exploits vulnerabilities in cybersecurity systems, digital platforms, or human behavior to steal money, data, or identities.
- Types of Cyberfrauds:
|
Cyber Fraud/ Threats
|
Description
|
|
Digital Arrests
|
Impersonating authorities (police or income tax officers) to extort money.
|
|
Online Job/Task-Based Scams
|
Fake work-from-home offers with upfront payments.
|
|
Malware
|
Malware is used to steal personal information that allows cyber criminals to gain control of a victim's computer.
|
|
Ransomware
|
Ransomware encrypts a victim's files and demands payment for decryption. E.g., WannaCry attack in 2016
|
|
Phishing
|
Phishing involves emails that appear to be from trusted sources, tricking users into clicking links that lead to fake websites and attackers gaining sensitive details e.g., credit card numbers.
|
|
Cyberbullying
|
Cyberbullying includes any threat to a person’s safety, coercion to say or do anything.
|
|
Cyber Spying
|
Cyber Spying targets a public or private entity’s network to gain access to classified data, private information, or intellectual property.
|
|
Business Email Compromise (BEC)
|
Scammers hack legitimate email accounts to impersonate suppliers, employees, or tax office members, considered a white-collar crime.
|
|
Dating Hoodwinks
|
Hackers use dating websites, chat rooms, and online dating apps to pose as potential partners and gain access to personal data.
|
|
ATM/PoS Frauds
|
Skimming card details or unauthorized transactions.
|
- Consequences of Cyber Fraud:
- Individuals face unauthorised financial transactions, loss of account access, and misuse of personal data for harassment or blackmail.
- Businesses risk legal penalties, regulatory fines, and loss of market value due to compromised client data.
- Governments face threats to national security as cyber breaches target defence and critical information systems.
- Notable Cyberfraud Incidents:
- Aadhaar Data Breach (2018): Personal data of 1.1 billion Aadhaar cardholders was compromised, including Aadhar numbers, PAN and bank details.
- Canara Bank ATM Attack (2018): Hackers used skimming devices on 300 debit cards, leading to a theft of over Rs 20 lakh.
- Pegasus Spyware Case: The Israeli spyware Pegasus was allegedly used to access data from mobile devices without consent, affecting over 300 verified Indian phone numbers.
What are the Key Initiatives Related to Cybersecurity?
- Global Initiatives on Cybersecurity:
- Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: It is the first international treaty to address cybercrime through legal harmonization, investigative cooperation, and capacity building. It came into force on 1st July 2004.
- India is not a signatory of the Budapest Convention.
- Internet Governance Forum (IGF): IGF is a multi-stakeholder platform under the UN that facilitates dialogue among governments, private sector, academia, and civil society on public policy issues related to Internet governance and cybersecurity.
- UNGA Resolutions on ICT Security: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has established 2 key platforms for addressing cybersecurity:
- Open-ended Working Group (OEWG), initiated by Russia, focuses on inclusive dialogue and capacity building in ICT security.
- Group of Governmental Experts (GGE), initiated by the USA, works on developing norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and international legal frameworks.
- Indian Initiatives:
- Legislative Measures:
- Institutional Framework:
- Strategic Initiatives:
- Sector-Specific Regulations:
What Measures Should be Taken to Strengthen Cybersecurity Frameworks in India?
- Infrastructure & AI-Based Security: Strengthen digital infrastructure through firewalls, regular software/hardware updates, and AI-driven threat detection systems to proactively identify, predict, and neutralize cyber threats.
- AI tools must support ransomware prediction, incident response, and forensic analysis.
- Cyber Awareness & Literacy: Launch nationwide cyber literacy programs in regional languages targeting rural communities, youth, and senior citizens.
- Incorporate cybersecurity education in schools and universities to build digital resilience from an early age, supported by secure infrastructure and staff training.
- Institutional & Audit Reforms: Conduct mandatory cybersecurity audits in critical sectors like banking, healthcare, and utilities, including stress tests and employee preparedness.
- Establish district-level cybersecurity units for localized threat management and coordination with CERT-In.
- Corporate & Banking Safeguards: Enforce two-factor authentication (2FA), data encryption, and monitoring systems in businesses and banks.
- Financial institutions must track suspicious transactions, detect foreign IP logins, and prevent conversion of stolen funds into cryptocurrency.
- Personal Cyber Hygiene: Encourage citizens to adopt secure digital practices, such as avoiding suspicious communications, using strong, unique passwords, and not bypassing security warnings to reduce individual vulnerability to cyber fraud.
Conclusion
The rise of financial cyber frauds in India highlights the urgent need for strengthened cybersecurity measures and enhanced public awareness. While initiatives play a crucial role in combating cyber threats, the evolving nature of cybercrimes demands continuous adaptation of legal, technological, and institutional frameworks. By addressing systemic gaps and fostering digital literacy, India can mitigate the risks associated with cyber fraud and ensure a safer digital ecosystem for its citizens.
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Drishti Mains Question:
What are the key cybersecurity challenges in India? Suggest comprehensive measures to strengthen India's cybersecurity framework?
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q.1 In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (2020)
- Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer
- Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so
- Cost of hiring a specialised consultant to minimise the loss in case of cyber extortion
- Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (b)
Q.2 In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (2017)
- Service providers
- Data centres
- Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)
US Lists ‘The Resistance Front’ as Global Terrorist Organization
19-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
India welcomed the US decision to officially designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group.
Note: After the Pahalgam attack, India launched a diplomatic push urging global action against TRF.
What is the ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF)?
- About: TRF is a Pakistan-based designated terrorist group, active in Jammu and Kashmir. It emerged in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370.
- Creation of TRF: TRF was formed after LeT's leadership was decimated, to revive militancy in Kashmir under a new, local-seeming banner.
- TRF was created to give militancy in Kashmir an “indigenous” look and to avoid international scrutiny, especially from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which had greylisted Pakistan.
- Modus Operandi of TRF: TRF began as a social media-based group and evolved into a militant outfit with a strong online presence.
- TRF avoids fidayeen (suicide) attacks, unlike its parent group LeT.
- India’s and TRF: In 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the TRF a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for its involvement in terror propaganda, recruitment, infiltration, and smuggling of arms and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir.
Lashkar-e-Taiba
- Origins: Formed in the early 1990s as the military wing of Markaz-ud-Dawa-wal-Irshad, originally created to oppose Soviet forces in Afghanistan. It is one of the largest and most active Kashmir-focused militant groups.
- Major Attack: LeT was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and is also linked to the 2006 Mumbai train bombings and the 2010 Pune German Bakery blast.
- Global Designation: Recognized as a terrorist group by the US and UN. Banned in Pakistan in 2002.
- Front Organizations: Uses Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FiF) for charity and recruitment. Both are now designated as aliases for LeT.
- Operations Base: Maintains training camps, schools, and clinics in Pakistan.
- Tactics: Uses both militant operations and charity work to maintain support and cover.
Note: UAPA 1967 designates terrorist organizations or individuals, criminalizes terrorist activities, and empowers authorities for investigation and prosecution.
- Under the UAPA 1967, 45 organisations are listed as terrorist groups and 23 as unlawful associations. The 2019 amendment allows individuals to be declared terrorists, helping prevent regrouping under new names.
- National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008 establishes a central agency for investigating and prosecuting terror-related offenses.
Prominent India-Centric Terror Organizations in Pakistan
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Name
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About
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Status in India as per the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
|
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Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM)
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Along with LET, it was responsible for the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament.
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Banned
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Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI)
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Initially formed to fight the Soviet army, later redirected efforts toward India. It operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, seeking annexation of Kashmir into Pakistan.
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Banned
|
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Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM)
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Operates mainly from Pak-Occupied Kashmir and some Pakistani cities.
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Banned
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Hizb-ul Mujahideen
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The militant wing of Pakistan’s largest Islamist political party, and is one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
|
Banned
|
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Al Qaeda
|
Operates primarily from former Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Karachi, and Afghanistan.
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Banned
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q.‘Hand-in-Hand 2007’ a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries? (2008)
(a) China
(b) Japan
(c) Russia
(d) USA
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. Indian government has recently strengthed the anti-terrorism laws by amending the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act, (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyze the changes in the context of prevailing security environment while discussing scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations. (2019)
Gujarat's Banni Grasslands Ready for Cheetah Reintroduction
19-07-2025
Source: TH
Banni Grasslands in Gujarat, a designated site under Project Cheetah, is now ready for cheetah reintroduction with a 600-hectare enclosure, rising herbivore populations, and necessary infrastructure.
Banni Grasslands
- About: Banni is Asia’s largest grassland, located near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
- The Banni Grasslands emerged from the sea due to tectonic activities.
- Vegetation: Vegetation is sparse and largely rainfall-dependent. It is dominated by low-growing plants, forbs, and graminoids, many of which are halophytic (salt-tolerant), along with scattered trees and scrublands.
- It is also known for the mysterious "Chir Batti" or ghost lights that appear at night.
- Ecosystem: Banni features a unique blend of wetlands and grasslands, coexisting side by side.
- Key species include Banni buffalo, Kankrej cattle, Indian wild ass, camel, and horse.
- Cultural Significance: Banni is home to several semi-nomadic communities, such as the Maldharis (silvipastoralists).
- Maldharis (keeper of animal stock) are a tribal herdsmen community living in Banni and Gir Forest regions. They rear sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes, and camels.
- An Ideal Habitat for Cheetah: The grasslands closely resemble the cheetah's natural habitat in Africa, with vast expanses of grasslands, savannahs, and scrublands, making it a perfect site for the big cats.
- The Gujarat Forest Department has set up a breeding center and enhanced the prey population (chital and sambar) to support the cheetahs.
Cheetah
- The cheetah, the world’s fastest mammal, is the only large carnivore extinct in India (1952).
- Unlike other big cats, it does not roar, but uses chirps, barks, and stutter barks to mark presence and territory.
- Cheetahs are solitary and mark territory through urine sprays, cheek rubbing, and tree scratches.


India’s First Digital Nomad Village
19-07-2025
Source: TH
Yakten, a village in Sikkim’s Pakyong district, has been officially declared India’s first digital nomad village under the ‘Nomad Sikkim’ initiative.
- About Yakten Nomad Village: It is a step towards promoting sustainable tourism, remote work opportunities, and grassroots entrepreneurship in the Himalayan state.
- It aligns with Sikkim CM’s "One Family, One Entrepreneur" initiative to foster local entrepreneurship and youth innovation.
- Aim: It aims to transform strategic locations in Sikkim into year-round hubs for digital professionals across India and abroad, while ensuring sustainable income opportunities for homestay owners during the tourist off-season, which may stretch for six months.
- About Nomad Sikkim Initiative: It is a joint initiative of the Pakyong district administration and Sarvahitey NGO to create a digital nomad hub for professionals seeking a blend of remote work and peaceful living.
- A digital nomad is a person who uses technology to work remotely, earning a living online while moving between different locations of their choice.
- The State holds the distinction of being India’s first fully organic state (2016), the first state to introduce organic aquaculture (fish farming), and the first state to achieve 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) status (2016).
India’s Advancements in Ballistic and Air Defence Systems
19-07-2025
Source: TH
India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.
- The development comes after the Indian Army carried out successful trials of the indigenously developed Air Defence System “Akash Prime” in Ladakh.
Prithvi-II
Agni-I
- Developed by the DRDO, Agni-I is a nuclear-capable, short-to-medium range ballistic missile with a range of 700–900 km.
- It can carry a 1,000 kg payload, is road and rail mobile, and fills the gap between the Prithvi series and longer-range Agni missiles in India’s credible minimum deterrence strategy.
Akash Prime
- It is an upgraded version of the Akash missile system, now featuring an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for better accuracy across terrain and weather.
- First used in Operation Sindoor against Pakistani aerial threats, it’s a medium-range, surface-to-air system designed to defend mobile and static assets.
- The Akash system features high automation, cross-country mobility, and simultaneous multi-target engagement using real-time multi-sensor data.
- It operates at altitudes up to 4,500 m and targets threats 25–30 km away.
Ballistic Missiles
- Ballistic missiles are rocket-propelled weapons that follow a free-fall trajectory after launch. They can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and be launched from land, sea, or air.
- Based on range, they're classified as short (< 1,000 km), medium (1,000–3,000 km), intermediate (3,000–5,500 km), or long-range or intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)( > 5,500 km). Agni-V is India’s longest-range missile, an ICBM with a range of over 5,000 km.
Lamarckian Inheritance and Epigenetics Evolution
19-06-2025
Source: TH
The recent discovery of heritable cold tolerance in rice plants through epigenetic changes marks a historic validation of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck’s theory that environmental influences can affect heredity — a concept once dismissed but now supported by modern science.
- Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression caused by external factors that switch genes on or off without altering the DNA sequence.
- Lamarck’s Theory (1809): It proposed that traits acquired during an organism’s lifetime through use, disuse, or environment could be inherited.
- Scientific Challenges to Lamarck:
- Darwin’s Natural Selection (1859): It argued genetic variations (not acquired traits) drive evolution via "survival of the fittest."
- Weismann’s Experiment (1890s): Tailless mice produced normal-tailed offspring, disproving inheritance of acquired traits.
- Gregor-Johann Mendel: It showed genes (DNA) are the stable units of heredity, not environmental adaptations.
- Epigenetics Emerges:
- Royal Brink’s Maize Study (1956): It revealed that gene expression, not just DNA sequence, could be heritable, demonstrating non-DNA-based inheritance.
- Arthur Riggs’ Hypothesis (1975): It proposed epigenetic marks (chemical tags on DNA) could pass traits across generations without changing their DNA sequence. It is easier to change epigenetic marks than to mutate DNA.

GDP Base Year Revised to 2022-23
19-06-2025
For Prelims: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Industrial Production (IIP), Consumer Price Index, Base Year, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES), MCA-21, UN System of National Accounts (SNA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Production Linked Initiative (PLI).
For Mains: Key features of GDP base year, Need and challenges related to GDP base year revision, Steps needed to make India's GDP base year revision more reliable.
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced that the government is revising the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23. The revised data will be released on 27th February 2026.
Note: In June 2024, MoSPI set up a 26-member Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS) to decide the base year for GDP data, under the chairmanship of Biswanath Goldar. It also focused on aligning GDP with other key macro indicators such as the WPI, CPI, and IIP.
What is the GDP Base Year?
- About GDP Base Year: GDP is the key metric for measuring a country’s annual economic growth or its overall economic size, and the “base year” serves as the reference point for these calculations.
- Currently, 2011-12 is the base year, meaning the GDP of 2011-12 is used as the benchmark to compute the growth of subsequent years.
- Need: The base year revision ensures the inclusion of new industries, removal of outdated ones, adoption of better data sources and methods, and more accurate measurement of real economic growth after adjusting for inflation.
- Features: The base year should be a normal year i.e., it must not experience any abnormal incidents such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, pandemic, etc. Also, it should not be too distant in the past.
- The base year should ideally be updated every 5 to 10 years to ensure national accounts reflect the most recent data.
- Frequency of GDP Base Year Revision: The upcoming 2026 revision will be the eighth base year update, following seven earlier revisions, starting from 1948-49 to 1960-61 in August 1967 and most recently from 2004-05 to 2011-12 on 30th January 2015.
- The first national income estimates for India were compiled by the National Income Committee (chaired by P.C. Mahalanobis) in 1949.
- 2017-18 Base Year Update Deferred: The plan to revise the base year to 2017-18 was dropped due to:

What is the Rationale Behind GDP Base Year Revisions?
- Reflects Structural Changes in the Economy: India’s economy has shifted from agrarian-dominated (pre-1990s) to services-led (now 55% of GDP), requiring a new base year to reflect these changes.
- It ensures inclusion of emerging sectors like digital services, gig economy, renewable energy, and reassessment or exclusion of declining industries like traditional manufacturing.
- Improves Data Accuracy & Methodology: Better data sources, such as MCA-21 for the corporate sector, replace outdated surveys, and updates align with UN System of National Accounts (SNA) guidelines.
- Removes Inflation Distortions: A new base year applies updated price weights to separate real growth from inflation effects. Using outdated prices (e.g., 2011-12) can overweight sectors like IT that were cheaper then.
- It also ensures GDP growth rates remain comparable over time by anchoring estimates to a recent “normal” year.
- Policy & Investment Decisions: Accurate GDP data guides fiscal policies on taxation and spending, while businesses depend on GDP trends for expansion plans.
- Corrects Past Anomalies: The 2015 revision drew criticism for overestimating growth due to methodological changes like greater reliance on corporate data, while delays since 2011-12 (skipping 2017-18 due to demonetisation/GST disruptions) make this update essential.
What are the Key Challenges in GDP Base Year Revision?
- Methodological Concerns:
- Over Reliance on Corporate Data: The 2015 GDP revision shifted to using the MCA-21 database for Private Corporate Sector (PCS) GDP, mostly discarding the IIP and ASI.
- This led to under coverage as many registered companies (especially in services) don’t file audited balance sheets, and created a large firm bias by overstating big firms’ profits while missing smaller enterprises.
- It overlooked actual value-added by small producers, despite 93% of India’s workforce being in the informal sector (Economic Survey 2018-19), where data is patchy (e.g., street vendors, small workshops).
- Single vs. Double Deflation Debate: India uses a single deflator (adjusting nominal GDP via CPI/WPI) rather than double deflation (adjusting output and input prices separately), which may distort real GDP growth, especially in manufacturing where input costs like oil and metals vary sharply.
- Data Discrepancies Issues: While GDP growth appears robust, private consumption remains sluggish due to possible underreporting and incorrect inflation adjustments in GDP deflators.
- Back Series & Historical Comparisons: Revising past GDP data to align with the new base year is technically complex, as seen with the 2018 back series that faced criticism for understating growth under the previous governments.
- New revisions risk disrupting long-term trend analysis and fueling political debates.
- Credibility & Global Perception: The 2015 revision faced criticism from experts, who argued that methodological changes inflated growth rates.
- Improper weighting of the digital economy or corporate profits could harm India’s GDP credibility, deterring FDI and triggering market turmoil.
How to Make India's GDP Base Year Revision More Reliable?
- Adopt a Hybrid Data Approach: Balance corporate and survey data by combining MCA-21 with ASI, IIP, NSSO surveys.
- Strengthen data sources through annual enterprise surveys for MSMEs/unorganized sectors and big data analytics from digital platforms like e-commerce and the gig economy.
- Coverage of Informal Sector: Expand survey coverage by increasing sample size and frequency of PLFS and CES and using Aadhaar-linked data to track informal employment and income.
- Integrate alternative data like UPI transactions, GST compliance rates, and EPFO records to better estimate informal GDP contributions.
- Shift to Double Deflation: Adopt double deflation to adjust output and input prices separately, especially for manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
- Ensure GDP estimation aligns with UN System of National Accounts (SNA 2008) standards.
- Enhance Transparency: Publish a technical white paper detailing sectoral weight changes, deflator choices, back-series methodology, and addressing past criticisms like the 2015 corporate data bias.
- Ensure independent peer review by involving the IMF, World Bank, and academic experts to validate the revisions.
- Institutionalize Regular Revisions: Avoid delays in base year revisions (like 2017-18 revision).
- Invest in AI-driven GDP tracking using high-frequency indicators like electricity demand and freight movement for timely and accurate estimates.
- Address Sectoral Gaps: Properly weight digital services (UPI, OTT platforms), renewables, and startups, while recalibrating outdated industries like traditional textiles and print media for accurate GDP estimation.
Conclusion
India's GDP base year revision to 2022-23 aims to reflect economic transformations post-pandemic and policy reforms. By addressing data gaps, adopting hybrid methodologies, and ensuring transparency, it can enhance reliability. However, challenges like informal sector measurement and corporate data bias must be resolved to maintain credibility and support India's growth aspirations.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Why is revising the GDP base year important for India’s economic policymaking? Discuss the key challenges and suggest measures to improve reliability of GDP estimates.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. A rapid increase in the rate of inflation is sometimes attributed to the “base effect”. What is “base effect”? (2011)
(a) It is the impact of drastic deficiency in supply due to failure of crops
(b) It is the impact of the surge in demand due to rapid economic growth
(c) It is the impact of the price levels of previous years on the calculation of inflation rate
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (2021)
Ultra-Secure Communication Using Quantum Technology
19-06-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Scientists from IIT Delhi and DRDO have successfully demonstrated an ultra-secure communication system using entanglement-based free-space quantum secure communication.
- This method uses light particles (photons) and the principle of quantum entanglement to transmit information through air, ensuring that any attempt to intercept the communication is immediately detectable.
- It marks a significant step forward in India’s efforts to build quantum-secure networks under the National Quantum Mission (2023–2031).
What are the Key Highlights of DRDO-IIT-Delhi Breakthrough in Quantum Communication?
- Scientists demonstrated entanglement-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over a 1 km free-space link, transmitting quantum keys through air, recording a secure key rate of 240 bps (bits per second), showing resilience to atmospheric turbulence, detector noise, and artificial lighting.
- Earlier, in 2022, India’s first intercity quantum link (Vindhyachal–Prayagraj) was set up using commercial-grade fibre.
- In 2023, QKD was extended to 380 km over standard telecom fibre (QBER 1.48%), followed by a 100 km demo in 2024.
What is Quantum Communication and Quantum Entanglement?
- Quantum communication is the transmission of secure information using principles of quantum mechanics, particularly quantum entanglement.
- It includes protocols like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum teleportation, and dense coding and techniques such as free-space communication, quantum repeaters, and decoherence-free subspaces to enable secure, long-distance transmission.
- It holds strategic value for defence and cybersecurity.
- Quantum Entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum physics where two or more particles become linked in such a way that the state of one instantly determines the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them.
- It defies classical physics and enables applications like quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and quantum computing.
What is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)?
- About: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a secure communication method that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to generate and share cryptographic keys between two parties.
- Working:
- QKD uses qubits (quantum bits), transmitted through optical fibres based on total internal reflection, to securely exchange encryption keys between two users.
- Unlike classical bits, qubits are encoded on photons and are highly sensitive to disturbance.
- QKD enables two distant users, who do not initially share a secret key, to generate a common, random secret key. These interactions must be authenticated using classical cryptographic methods.
- If an eavesdropper tries to intercept the communication, it disturbs the qubits, causing transmission errors that alert the legitimate users. Thus, QKD transforms an authenticated classical channel into a secure quantum channel, ensuring tamper-evident encryption.
- Types of QKD:
- Prepare-and-Measure QKD: One party prepares photons in specific quantum states, and the other measures them. Any interference alters the state, revealing intrusion.
- Entanglement-Based QKD: A source generates entangled photon pairs and sends one to each party. The entangled nature ensures that the measurement outcomes are correlated and secure.
What is the National Quantum Mission (NQM)?
- About: The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a strategic national initiative aimed at advancing India’s capabilities in quantum technologies.
- It is one of the 9 key missions under the PM-STIAC (Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council).
- It seeks to position India as a global leader in quantum science by fostering innovation in quantum communication, quantum computing, and precision sensing.
- It was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023 for the period 2023–24 to 2030–31.
- Significance: Crucial for advancing India’s position in the global quantum race, with applications in defence, cybersecurity, space, banking, and telecommunications.
- Key Objectives:
- Quantum Computing: Develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50–1000 physical qubits using platforms such as superconducting and photonic technologies over the next eight years.
- Secure Quantum Communication:
- Enable satellite-based quantum communication between Indian ground stations over distances exceeding 2000 km.
- Facilitate long-distance secure quantum links with international partners.
- Quantum Sensing and Metrology: Develop high-sensitivity magnetometers and atomic clocks to enhance precision in navigation, communication, and timing applications.
- Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): Establish four T-Hubs at premier academic and national R&D institutions focused on:
- Key Initiatives Under NQM:
- DRDO Initiatives: DRDO is developing and testing quantum-resilient security protocols and quantum-safe symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic algorithms to protect defence and strategic communications.
- SETS (Society for Electronic Transactions and Security): Under the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), SETS is advancing Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) research and has implemented PQC for FIDO authentication and IoT security applications.
- C-DoT (Centre for Development of Telematics): Under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), C-DoT has developed cutting-edge solutions, including Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum-Secure Video IP Phones.
Related Government Initiatives on Quantum Technology
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Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the key objectives and initiatives under the NQM and their strategic importance for India.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned?
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (2020)
Jumping Spider
19-06-2025
Source: TH
Spartaeus karigiri, a newly discovered jumping spider species from Karnataka, marks the first recorded presence of the Spartaeus and Sonoita genera (part of the Spartaeinae subfamily of Salticidae family) in India, previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa.
- The species is named after Karigiri, or Elephant Hill of Karnataka.
- Sonoita cf. lightfooti, previously thought to be confined to Africa, was discovered in Karnataka, suggesting a possible range extension or introduction.
Jumping Spiders (Spartaeus karigiri)
- Distribution: Found globally across America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia with abundance in tropical regions.
- Biodiversity: Salticidae is the largest spider family with 5,000+ species under Order Araneae and Class Arachnida.
- Physical Traits: Small, fuzzy spiders (<0.5 inch) with 8 eyes, two large front-facing eyes provide high-resolution vision for hunting, navigation, and courtship.
- Capable of running, climbing, and jumping, uses a silk dragline for safe landing.
- Hunting Behavior: Active carnivores that prey on small insects using stalking, mimicry (e.g., ant-like appearance), and camouflage, some species also consume pollen and nectar opportunistically.
- Jumping Mechanism: Jump over 50 times body length via hydraulic leg pressure, not muscles.
- Reproduction: Females guard silk-encased egg sacs, spiderlings molt into adults.
- Notable Species: Euophrys omnisuperstes (Himalayan jumping spider), found at 22,000 ft on Mount Everest, highest known spider habitat.

Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme
18-10-2025
Source: ET
Why in News?
The Union Finance Minister of India announced the release of ₹3,791.1 crore to States and Union Territories under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) Scheme.
What is the PM-FME Scheme?
- About: PM-FME aims to strengthen micro food enterprises, promote ‘Vocal for Local’ products, and integrate rural entrepreneurs into the formal economy.
- Launched on 29 June 2020, the PM-FME Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
- It was launched for a duration of 2020–21 to 2025–26 with a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore.
- Salient Features of the Scheme:
- Common Infrastructure: FPOs, Cooperatives, SHGs, and Government agencies setting up food processing units with shared facilities are eligible for a 35% credit-linked subsidy, up to ₹3 crore.
- Credit-Linked Subsidy: Individuals, FPOs, NGOs, Cooperatives, SHGs, and Pvt. Ltd. firms can avail a 35% subsidy, up to ₹10 lakh per unit, for upgrading or setting up new units.
- One District One Product (ODOP): Implements an ODOP approach to promote scale, value chain development, and marketing support- covering 713 districts in 35 States/UTs with 137 unique products.
- Seed Capital for Self Help Groups: Provides ₹40,000 per member, up to ₹4 lakh per SHG, as seed capital for working capital and small tools, disbursed through SHG federations.
- Marketing & Branding: Offers a 50% grant for branding and marketing initiatives by FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, or SPVs to promote processed food products.
- Capacity Building: Provides training under the Food Processing Entrepreneurship Development Programme to enhance technical and business skills of beneficiaries.
- Cost Sharing Pattern: 60:40 between Centre and States, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 for UTs with legislature, and 100% Central funding for other UTs.
What are the Other Key Government Initiatives Related to the Food Processing Sector?
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the food processing industry.
- Priority Sector Lending (PSL): Food and agro-processing units, along with cold chain infrastructure, are now recognized as priority sectors.
- 100% FDI under Automatic Route: The food processing sector can receive full foreign direct investment through the automatic approval route.
- Special Food Processing Fund: Establishment of a ₹2,000 crore fund with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
- The Mega Food Park Scheme provides integrated infrastructure for food processing, offering up to Rs 50 crore per project.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the PM-FME Scheme?
A scheme launched in 2020 to formalize micro food enterprises, promote local products, enhance rural income, and integrate entrepreneurs into the formal economy.
2. What support does PM-FME provide?
Provides capital subsidies, grants, seed funding, training, branding, marketing, common infrastructure, and R&D support to individual units, FPOs, cooperatives, and SHGs.
3. What is the ODOP approach?
Each district focuses on one key product, promoting cluster-based processing, storage, branding, market linkages, and aligning with India’s Agriculture Export Policy.
4. What challenges does the sector face?
Infrastructure gaps, limited finance access, and weak quality standards hinder growth, export potential, and competitiveness of India’s food processing industry.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”? (2011)
- To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.
- To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.
- To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)

GPS Spoofing
18-10-2025
Source: ET
An Air India flight operating from Vienna to Delhi was forced to divert after a suspected GPS signal spoofing over the Middle East disrupted its navigation. The spoofing of signals caused severe degradation of the aircraft’s flight control systems, including failures in autopilot, autothrust, flight director, and autoland functions.
- GPS Spoofing: It is a cyberattack in which fake or counterfeit GPS signals are sent to receivers, causing them to compute incorrect position, navigation, or time information.
- Working Mechanism: Attackers use ground-based transmitters to broadcast strong counterfeit GPS signals that override genuine satellite signals.
- The GPS receiver locks onto these fake signals, producing incorrect location or time readings.
- Effects on Aviation: Spoofing can cause aircraft navigation systems including autopilot, flight director, and autoland, to malfunction, leading to misrouting, cockpit confusion, false warnings, and risks of entering restricted airspace or collisions.
- Difference from Jamming: Unlike jamming, which blocks or disrupts signals, spoofing feeds false data, making detection and response more difficult.
- Mitigation Measures: Robust backup navigation systems like Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) offer alternative location data during spoofing.
- Anti-spoofing technologies, multi-constellation GNSS, advanced signal processing, and pilot training are essential to enhance resilience.


Startup India Revolution
18-09-2025
For Prelims: Startup India, Digital India, Aadhaar, UPI, BharatNet, Fund of Funds for Startups, iDEX, ADITI, Intellectual Property Rights, Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, Skill India.
For Mains: Role of Startup India in transformation of Indian economy, associated challenges and way forward.
Source: ET
Why in News?
The Startup India initiative has been instrumental in transforming India’s innovation ecosystem, fostering the growth of numerous startups.
- According to the Future Unicorn Report 2025, 11 new startups have joined India's unicorn club in 2025.
How has Startup India Transformed India’s Innovation Ecosystem?
- Building the Innovation Stack: Digital India, Aadhaar , UPI, and BharatNet have built a digital public infrastructure that lowers startup barriers, expands access, cuts costs, and drives an inclusive innovation ecosystem.
- Fund of Funds for Startups and credit guarantee schemes provided critical capital support for early-stage startups e.g., Fashinza (B2B marketplace streamlining the apparel and fashion supply chain).
- Ease of Doing Business reforms like single-window clearances and online systems have streamlined approvals, significantly reducing the time and cost of starting a business.
- These reforms created a layered innovation ecosystem, or innovation stack, enabling startups to scale rapidly.
- Unicorn Surge: By mid-2025, India had 118 unicorns (4 in 2014), with firms like Zomato, PhonePe, Razorpay, Ola, Meesho, and Delhivery solving local challenges and going global.
- A unicorn is a privately held startup company with a valuation of over USD 1 billion.
- Diversified Startup Ecosystem:
- FinTech: UPI established India as a global leader in digital payments.
- SpaceTech: Post-2020 reforms enabled private players like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos; India now has 300+ startups in space.
- DefenceTech: Over 600 startups under iDEX and schemes like ADITI are driving indigenisation in defence manufacturing.
- Startup Dividend: Startups have generated over 12 lakh direct jobs and millions of indirect roles, while reducing import dependence and boosting exports, strengthening India’s global economic standing.
What is the Startup India Initiative?
- About: Launched in 2016, the Startup India initiative supports entrepreneurs by fostering a strong innovation ecosystem through tax benefits, simplified compliance, and funding access to drive economic growth and employment.
Core Features:

- Flagship Schemes Under Startup India:
- Key Achievements:
- Growth in Startups: The number of DPIIT-recognized startups surged from 500 in 2016 to 1.59 lakh in 2025.
- Startup Ecosystem: India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, home to 100+ unicorns.
- Job Creation: Over 16.6 lakh direct jobs were generated by startups as of October 31, 2024.
- Women Empowerment: 73,151 recognized startups have at least one woman director, reflecting progress in gender inclusivity.

What are the Key Challenges Facing India’s Startup Ecosystem?
- Funding Constraints: Startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities struggle with funding, which dropped from Rs 2,202 crore in July 2024 to Rs 630 crore in August 2024.
- Regulatory Complexity: India’s complex regulatory environment poses challenges for startups, with debates under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 on app-based cab classification and compliance under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 increasing legal and administrative burdens.
- Growth Challenges: Despite strong initial growth, about 90% of startups fail within five years due to scaling difficulties, operational inefficiencies, and obstacles in entering new markets.
- Market Saturation: Intense edtech competition has caused market saturation, shrinking margins, and unsustainable cash burn, with the post-pandemic downturn highlighting consolidation risks.
What Measures are Needed to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem?
- Enhanced Tax Benefits: Extend tax incentives from 3 to 5 years, with additional breaks for deep-tech startups and those addressing national priorities, following global examples like Israel’s 12% corporate tax for tech firms.
- Boosting Market Access: Require a fixed percentage of government procurement to come from startups, creating substantial market opportunities for them.
- Decentralized Startup Ecosystem: Develop tier-2 and tier-3 cities as startup hubs by improving infrastructure and offering incentives, using a hub-and-spoke model where larger cities support surrounding smaller cities.
- Skill Development: Expand sector-specific skill programs under Skill India, focusing on emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT to create a future-ready startup workforce.
Conclusion
India’s startup story is a civilizational reset of confidence. The journey from Startup India to Unicorn Nation captures the essence of a new India: bold, innovative, and globally ambitious. Startup India has transformed India from a job-seeker to a job-creator economy, driving innovation, unicorn growth, and employment across sectors like FinTech, SpaceTech, and DefenceTech, supported by tax incentives, funding, skill development, and decentralized ecosystems for long-term success.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. While the unicorn boom showcases success, India's startup ecosystem faces significant challenges in funding and regulation. Discuss the measures needed to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.
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UPSC Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. What does venture capital mean? (2014)
(a) A short-term capital provided to industries
(b) A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs
(c) Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses
(d) Funds provided for replacement and renovation of industries
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as are business professions, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment. (2014)
Mitigating Flood and Landslide Risks
18-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The current monsoon has brought unusually intense rainfall to hilly states such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, exacerbating the incidence of landslides and pushing river systems to perilous levels, thereby heightening risks to both lives and infrastructure.
What Factors Increase the Vulnerability of Hilly Regions to Floods and Landslides?
- Steep Slopes and Gravity: Water flows down steep slopes much faster than on flat land, preventing infiltration. This causes water to quickly accumulate in streams and rivers, leading to rapid-onset flash floods.
- For instance, landslides in Mandi, Kullu, Dharali, Tharali, and Jammu.
- Geology and Soil Type: Many young mountain ranges (like the Himalayas) are geologically active and made of fractured, weak, or weathered rocks that are easily dislodged.
- Mountain soils are often thin and lack deep root systems, making them prone to being washed away.
- Frequent landslides in Darjeeling and Sikkim are due to weak rock formations and fragile soils.
- Hydrological Factors: A valley funnels rainfall into a narrow stream or river, and the steep gradient with high energy flow gives water strong erosive power, which erodes riverbanks and slopes, making floods worse.
- For instance, Alaknanda and Mandakini river valleys in Uttarakhand frequently witness flash floods.
- Trigger Factors: Continuous rain or intense cloudbursts saturate soil, reduce friction, and trigger landslides, flash floods, and debris flows.
- Sudden temperature rise or rain on snow causes snowmelt, releasing large water volumes, saturating the ground, and flooding streams.
- E.g., For the season (June-September 2025), the northwestern region has received more than 30% surplus rainfall.
- Human-Induced Factors: Road cutting, construction on steep slopes, blocked natural drainage, unsustainable agriculture, and overgrazing destabilize slopes, increasing the risk of landslide.
- The Joshimath land subsidence (2023), linked to unregulated construction, highlights human-induced vulnerability.
How does Climate Change Increase Flood and Landslide Vulnerability?
- Increased Extreme Rainfall Events: A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture (≈7% per 1°C), causing intense rainfall and cloudbursts, which trigger flash floods as the ground cannot absorb water fast enough, overwhelming streams and rivers.
- Climate change disrupts monsoon patterns, causing droughts followed by intense rain, where dry, hardened soil reduces absorption, increasing runoff, flood, and erosion risk.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): Rising temperatures cause glacier retreat and the formation of unstable lakes dammed by moraines, which can breach in GLOF events, releasing massive water and debris, leading to catastrophic flooding downstream.
- The 2023 South Lhonak GLOF (Sikkim) destroyed the Rs 16,000 crore Chungthang hydropower project, caused silting in the Teesta river, and increased downstream flood risk.
- Permafrost Thaw: In high-altitude hilly regions, rising temperatures thaw permafrost, causing slope destabilization, rockfalls, and landslides, which add debris to rivers and increase flood risks.
- Increased Wildfires: Climate change makes hilly areas hotter and drier, increasing wildfires that destroy vegetation, create water-repellent soil, and cause fast-moving debris flows when rain hits.
- For instance, the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 showed that Uttarakhand alone recorded 5,351 forest fire incidents between November 2022 and June 2023.
NDMA Guidelines on Flood Management
- Structural Measures
- Diversion of Flood Water: Use natural/artificial channels to reduce river water levels.
- Catchment Area Treatment/Afforestation: Watershed management, soil conservation, check dams, detention basins to reduce flood peaks
- Embankments/Levees/Walls: Prevent overflow; effective on Yamuna near Delhi.
- Drainage Improvement: Restore natural drainage blocked by roads/canals/railways.
- Channel Improvement/Desilting/Dredging: Increase discharge capacity, selective desilting at outfalls/confluences.
- Reservoirs/Dams/Water Storages: Store excess floodwater.
- Non-Structural Measures
- Flood Management Plans (FMPs): Mandatory for all government departments/agencies.
- Flood Forecasting & Warning: Based on real-time discharge & rainfall data from CWC and IMD.
- Flood Proofing: Raised platforms, utility installations, double-storey shelters for safety.
- Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Manage water at basin/watershed scale.
- Flood Plain Zoning: Regulate land use; map areas as extremely or partially affected zones.
NDMA Guidelines on Landslides
- Landslide Hazard Zonation: Landslide Hazard Zonation maps should be prepared at macro (1:50,000/25,000) and meso (1:10,000) scales, using advanced tools like UAVs, Terrestrial Laser Scanners, and high-resolution EO data.
- Early Warning System (LEWS): An effective LEWS must include rainfall threshold-based modelling, wireless instrumentation, and real-time monitoring for both rainfall- and earthquake-triggered landslides.
- Capacity Building & Training: Capacity building requires a Nationwide Training Need Assessment (TNA) in Landslide Risk Management, the use of new technologies in training, and a focus on grassroots communities.
- Mountain Zone Regulations & Policies: The strategy recommends formulating and enforcing land-use policies, updating building regulations, revising BIS codes, and including hazard zoning provisions in town and country planning laws to ensure safety in landslide-prone areas.
What Measures can be Adopted to Mitigate the Vulnerability of Regions to Floods and Landslides?
- Environmental Measures: Afforestation and Reforestation with native trees and Van Panchayats empower communities to bind soil, absorb rainwater, and protect forests.
- Contour trenching, terrace farming, and check dams slow runoff, allow infiltration, trap sediment, and reduce erosive power.
- Engineering Measures: Rock bolts, soil nails, retaining walls, and debris flow barriers/screens stabilize slopes and prevent rocks and debris from reaching roads or settlements.
- Channel improvement, diversion channels, and sediment traps increase river capacity, redirect excess water, and capture silt and debris to reduce flood risk.
- Urban flood resilience can be enhanced through proper drainage, sponge city models, and rainwater harvesting.
- Policy Measures: Enforce carrying capacity studies, stringent land use planning, and hazard zone identification to restrict construction on steep slopes, riverbeds, and floodplains, relocate vulnerable settlements, and implement stringent building codes.
- Develop robust early warning systems integrating weather forecasts, rainfall data, and river levels, and support them with community sirens and drills to ensure timely evacuation to safe zones.
- Economic & Financial Measures: Establish dedicated disaster risk reduction budgets for states and districts.
- Shift to Parametric Insurance Models for quick payouts based on rainfall/flood-level triggers (avoiding lengthy claims).
Conclusion
Hilly regions are inherently vulnerable due to steep slopes and fragile geology. However, human activities like unsustainable construction and deforestation have severely amplified this risk. Effective mitigation requires an integrated approach, aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–30), by combining stringent land-use policies, ecological restoration, engineering solutions, and community-based early warning systems.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Critically analyse how geological fragility and human activities contribute to hydrometeorological disasters in Hilly Areas.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q. Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (2021)
Q. The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (2016)
Major Announcements on India’s 79th Independence Day
18-08-2025
Source: HT
On India’s 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister announced key initiatives to drive the nation toward developed status by 2047.
Major Announcements
- PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: It aims to create 3.5 crore jobs in two years. Newly employed youth will receive Rs 15,000 as support, benefiting around 3 crore individuals. It marks a key step from Swatantra Bharat to Samriddha Bharat.
- Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Aims to develop an indigenous Iron Dome-like air defence system by 2035 to protect strategic and civilian sites, with capabilities to intercept and retaliate against enemy attacks.
- Semiconductor: India to roll out its first Made-in-India semiconductor chip by the end of 2025.
- National Deep Water Exploration Mission: The planned mission termed as “Samudra Manthan’ aims to explore offshore oil, gas, and mineral resources in mission mode.
- GST and Task Force Reforms: Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms to be launched by October 2025, with reduced taxes on essentials and relief for MSMEs and consumers.
- A dedicated Reform Task Force will drive economic growth, cut red tape, and modernise governance for a USD 10 trillion economy by 2047.
- High-Powered Demography Mission: Aims to tackle demographic imbalance from illegal migration in border areas, ensuring national security, unity, and citizens' rights.
- Nuclear Energy Expansion: India plans to increase nuclear power capacity tenfold by 2047, with 10 new reactors currently under development.
- Clean Energy Target Achieved: India has met its goal of 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
SRVAs and Internationalization of Rupee
18-08-2025
Source: BL
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed non-residents holding Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) to invest surplus balances in government securities, while also removing prior approval for banks to open SRVAs, these steps aimed at boosting rupee trade and internationalising the Indian Rupee.
What are Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs)?
- About: SRVAs are accounts opened by foreign entities with Indian banks. They facilitate settlement of international trade transactions in Indian Rupees.
- SRVAs introduced in 2022, the mechanism allows exporters and importers to invoice and settle trade directly in rupees.
- RBI Measures to Promote Rupee through SRVAs: Non-resident entities with SRVAs can now invest their rupee surplus balances in Central government securities (G-secs) and Treasury Bills.
- Earlier authorised dealer (AD) banks required RBI’s prior approval before opening SRVAs for overseas correspondent banks. Now AD banks can open SRVAs independently without seeking RBI permission.
- This aims to quicken the operationalisation of rupee-based trade settlements.
- Significance: Promotes internationalisation of the Indian Rupee. Reduces dependence on hard currencies like the US dollar in bilateral trade.
- Encourages surplus rupee funds to be productively deployed in Indian government securities.

What is Internationalization of Rupee?
- About: Internationalization of the rupee refers to promoting its usage in cross-border trade, investments, and financial transactions without mandatory conversion to a dominant foreign currency like the USD.
- Benefits:
- Reduces Vulnerability: Less reliance on foreign currencies like the dollar shields the economy from global crises and currency shortages.
- Settling trade in INR lowers hedging costs and protects businesses from currency volatility, boosting competitiveness.
- Eases Forex Reserve Pressure: Reduces the need to hold large USD/EUR reserves, freeing resources for other priorities.
- Enables Deficit Financing: Global acceptance of INR allows the government to raise funds abroad through rupee-denominated bonds.
- Strengthens Markets: More foreign demand for INR assets deepens Indian bond and equity markets, attracting long-term capital.
- Negative Impacts: Increases exposure to global volatility and complicates monetary management.
- Large foreign participation could destabilize equity or debt markets if not regulated properly.

What are the Challenges in the Internationalisation of Rupee?
- Limited Global Acceptance: INR is not fully convertible on the capital account, which restricts its usage in global financial markets.
- The absence of INR in major platforms like CLS (Continuous Linked Settlement) limits settlement efficiency.
- INR Liquidity Constraints Abroad: Lack of readily available INR liquidity in overseas financial systems hampers the ease of settlement in INR.
- Regulatory and Documentation Complexities: Stringent KYC norms, inconsistent across RBI and SEBI, act as a deterrent for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).
- Insufficient Trade Invoicing in INR: A major portion of India’s external trade is still invoiced and settled in USD or other convertible currencies.
- Lack of INR-based Payment Infrastructure Globally: Limited integration of UPI, Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS), and RuPay with foreign payment systems restricts cross-border transactions.
- Geopolitical and Currency Dominance: The USD's dominance as the global reserve and trade currency poses a structural limitation.
- Countries may hesitate to adopt INR unless India becomes a major trading and financial hub.
Major Steps Taken for Internationalisation of Rupee
- SVRAs: Operationalized with 22 countries to facilitate rupee trade settlements.
- MoUs with Central Banks: Signed with UAE, Indonesia, Maldives, etc., to settle bilateral trade in local currencies.
- UPI Global Expansion: As of July 2025 Unified Payments Interface is operational in seven countries (UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius).
- Strategic Action Plan 2024–25 (RBI): Includes allowing persons resident outside India (PROI) to open INR accounts abroad, permitting Indian banks to lend in INR to PROIs, and enabling FDI and portfolio investment through Special Non-Resident Rupee Accounts (SNRR) and SRVAs.
- The RBI has liberalized Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 to promote the internationalization of the rupee for cross-border trade settlement.
- Currency Swap Agreements: Singed with more than 20 countries it facilitates liquidity support and trade settlement in local currencies.
- Masala Bonds: Issuance of rupee-denominated bonds to attract global investors.
What are RBI’s Recommendations for Internationalisation of Rupee?
- Boost Cross‑Border Settlement Mechanisms: Develop and standardize Local Currency Settlement (LCS) frameworks supported by sufficient INR liquidity, to reduce dependency on USD.
- Strengthening Financial Market Infrastructure: Build a global 24×5 INR forex market, enabling interbank trades via overseas branches and extended CCIL platform hours.
- Facilitate G‑sec inclusion in indices like JPMorgan, to attract stable passive flows.
- Simplify KYC and Onboarding: Harmonize KYC norms across RBI, SEBI, and global custodians. Accept digital signatures, and scanned documents with Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) confirmations to reduce processing delays.
- Include INR in IMF’s SDR Basket: Position INR as a global reserve currency by aiming for inclusion in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights basket.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Internationalisation of the rupee reduces dollar dependence but risks external shocks. How can India strike a balance between ambition and stability?
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. Convertibility of rupee implies (2015)
(a) being able to convert rupee notes into gold
(b) allowing the value of rupee to be fixed by market forces
(c) freely permitting the conversion of rupee to other currencies and vice versa
(d) developing an international market for currencies in India
Ans: (c)
Black Hole Merger
18-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
An international team of scientists has detected the most massive black hole merger ever observed. The event, named GW231123, was observed by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) collaboration, which forms the Gravitational Wave Network.
What is a Black Hole Merger?
- About: A black hole merger occurs when two black holes orbit each other and gradually move closer by emitting gravitational waves (ripples in space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe).
- As they spiral inward, they eventually collide and merge into a single, larger black hole.
- These gravitational waves are detected on Earth by observatories like the LVK network of gravitational wave observatories.
- Significance of GW231123: It involved two black holes, approximately 100 and 140 times the mass of the Sun, colliding to form a single, massive black hole about 225 times the Sun's mass.
- The waves from GW231123 actually originated billions of years ago, but only reached Earth in 2025.
- This black hole merger, unlike typical stellar black holes under 60 solar masses, GW231123 is much bigger and spinning unusually fast, making the discovery even more intriguing.
- Implications: Black holes this big are typically thought to come from the collapse of huge stars. This event suggests that some may instead form through mergers of smaller black holes.
Gravitational Wave Network
- The gravitational wave network, often referred to as the LVK collaboration, is a global alliance of observatories that work together to detect gravitational waves.
- LVK:
- LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory): The first to detect gravitational waves in 2015, LIGO has two detectors located in the US.
- That historic gravitational wave detection confirmed a prediction made by Einstein (predicted their existence in his general theory of Relativity in 1916) and earned the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics.
- Virgo: Located in Italy, Virgo joined the network to increase detection accuracy and help pinpoint the location of events.
- KAGRA (Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector): A newer detector in Japan, KAGRA adds sensitivity and a broader geographic spread.
Note: India in collaboration with the US is building the third detector of LIGO, which will be known as LIGO-India.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation? (2019)
(a) ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
(b) ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.
(c) Possibility of intergalactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.
(d) It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’
Ans: (b)
Q. What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project? (2017)
(a) To detect neutrinos
(b) To detect gravitational waves
(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems
Ans: (b)
Noise Effect on Quantum Entanglement
18-07-2025
Source: PIB
Scientists from Raman Research Institute (RRI), IISc Bangalore, IISER Kolkata have found that quantum noise can sometimes enhance, revive, or even create entanglement, challenging earlier beliefs that it only disrupts quantum systems.
Quantum Entanglement
- Quantum entanglement refers to a phenomenon in quantum mechanics where two or more particles become interlinked, such that the state of one particle instantly determines the state of the other, regardless of the distance.
- It forms the basis of advanced technologies like quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum communication,
- Types of Quantum Entanglement:
- Intraparticle entanglement, where different properties (e.g., spin and path) of a single particle are entangled.
- Interparticle entanglement, the more common form, involving entanglement between separate particles.

Quantum Noise
- About: Quantum noise refers to random disturbances arising from a system’s interaction with its environment, often leading to loss of coherence (decoherence) and degradation of quantum properties like entanglement.
- Types: Amplitude damping (energy loss), Phase damping (loss of phase coherence), and Depolarizing noise (randomization of the quantum state).
Noise Effects on Entanglement
- The study found that amplitude damping can create, preserve, or revive entanglement in intraparticle systems, while phase damping and depolarizing noise are less effective.
- Also, intraparticle entanglement was found to be more resilient to noise compared to interparticle entanglement, which showed only steady decay with no revival or generation under noise.
- The study introduced a realistic Global Noise Model and developed a precise analytical formula to predict entanglement behavior under various noise types, providing a valuable tool for designing resilient quantum systems suited for real-world, noisy environments.

Just Transition in the Global Plastics Treaty
18-07-2025
Source:DTE
Why in News?
The negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty initiated under the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 5/14 (March 2022), have brought attention to the need for a Just Transition ensuring that efforts to end plastic pollution are both environmentally sustainable and socially fair.
- Part one of the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.1) on plastic pollution held in Busan (2024) emphasized the need for stronger legal recognition and protections for informal waste workers and other vulnerable communities.
Note: The INC, set up by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the UNEA resolution 5/14, is tasked with creating a legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution across its full life cycle.
- INC-1 was held in Uruguay (2022), INC-2 in Paris (2023), INC-3 in Nairobi (2023), INC-4 in Ottawa (2024), and INC-5.1 in Busan (2024). INC-5.2 is scheduled for Geneva (August 2025).
Why is the Inclusion of 'Just Transition' Critical in the Global Plastics Treaty?
- Ensuring Fairness, and Inclusivity: A just transition ensures fairness and inclusivity in the shift to low-carbon, sustainable economies by protecting workers and vulnerable communities. It seeks to avoid creating new injustices while trying to fix existing ones.
- It promotes green jobs, retraining, and social protection, especially for informal waste workers.
- Protecting Workers in Transition to a Plastic-Free Economy: Workers across the value chain (from production to disposal) are at risk of exclusion or economic displacement as countries move towards banning plastics and promoting sustainable alternatives.
- Informal waste pickers contribute significantly to plastic recycling (often over 50% of urban waste recovery in developing nations), yet lack recognition and legal protection.
- Gaps in the Draft Treaty on Just Transition: The draft Global Plastics Treaty recognizes waste pickers' contributions but lacks binding protections.
- It fails to define their roles in informal sectors, and Articles 8 and 9 of the Treaty merely encourage inclusion without mandating obligations, excluding informal workers from engagement. Article 11 lacks financial support for just transition programs.
- A 'Just Transition' ensures waste pickers are not marginalized in the shift to sustainability. Without binding protections, they risk economic displacement. A clear framework is essential for their inclusion, social protection, and retraining for greener jobs.
Where do Countries Stand on Just Transition in the Global Plastics Treaty?
- India: It agrees with Just Transition provisions but stresses that implementation should align with national regulations and local contexts.
- At INC-5.1 in Busan, India called for a clear scope for the Global Plastics Treaty. It urged avoiding overlaps with existing agreements like the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions or the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- India also stressed the treaty must follow Rio Declaration (1992) principles, especially common but differentiated responsibilities, national priorities, and the right to development for developing countries.
- European Union (EU): Advocates for safe working conditions and legal recognition of informal workers, emphasizing fair conditions across the plastics lifecycle.
- Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS): Proposes inclusion of indigenous people and local communities in the Just Transition process, recognizing their vulnerability to environmental degradation.
- US and African Group: Both support existing provisions, with an emphasis on involving children, youth, and waste pickers. The African Group has reservations on the legal recognition of informal workers.
- Iran: Calls for financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building, but disagrees on terms like 'vulnerable groups' and 'workers' and resists legal recognition of waste management cooperatives.
Global Plastic Pollution
- According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, over 460 million tonnes of plastic is produced yearly, with 20 million tonnes leaking into the environment, threatening ecosystems, biodiversity, and the climate.
- In 2019, macro-plastics made up 88% of the 20 million tonnes of plastic leaking into the environment, mostly from single-use items like bags, bottles, and cups.
Plastic Pollution in India
- Plastic Pollution: According to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), India generates 9.46 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with 40% uncollected polluting rivers, streets, and contributing 4% to national emissions.
- Rapid urbanisation and rising demand for plastic packaging are worsening the problem. Growth of e-commerce has led to more non-recyclable plastic waste.
- Waste management infrastructure is weak, with more uncontrolled dumpsites than sanitary landfills. Open burning is widespread, causing toxic emissions and health hazards. The EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) system is poorly enforced.
- According to the FICCI, India may lose USD 133 billion in material value from plastic packaging waste by 2030.
- India’s Initiatives to Curb Plastics:
- Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024: Strengthen plastic waste governance by mandating annual waste assessments by local bodies, introducing a centralized registration portal, and requiring online reporting for better monitoring.
- India Plastics Pact: It unites stakeholders to cut plastic use through time-bound targets, innovation, and accountability, aligned with global circular economy principles.
- Project REPLAN (REducing PLAstic from Nature): Initiated by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, focuses on reducing plastic waste by incorporating it into handmade paper production.
- Un-Plastic Collective: Voluntary initiative launched by the UNEP-India, CII, and WWF-India, where companies commit to time-bound actions to eliminate, reuse, and replace plastics through a circular economy approach.
What Should be the Roadmap for Operationalizing Just Transition within the Global Plastics Treaty?
- Binding Provisions: Ensure key provisions related to Just Transition should be legally binding rather than voluntary to ensure accountability.
- Definitional Clarity and Inclusivity: Definitions must explicitly recognize informal waste workers, especially waste pickers, as critical stakeholders in plastic recovery and management.
- Legal recognition of these workers will ensure they are integrated into both national and international policy frameworks and are provided with appropriate protections.
- Institutional Mechanisms: Establish a global Just Transition Fund to support vulnerable workers and facilitate green infrastructure.
- A dedicated fund can better help retrain workers to integrate them into formal waste systems, boost circular economy efforts, and prevent rising inequality or job loss during the plastic phase-out.
- Link Just Transition to Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Access to clean plastic management technologies should come with safeguards for affected workers. This ensures they’re not pushed out or left behind during the shift to greener alternatives.
- Support South-South collaboration on low-cost, decentralised recycling tech. Include mandatory capacity-building programs to help countries integrate informal workers into formal waste systems.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of integrating 'Just Transition' into the Global Plastics Treaty. How can it address both environmental and social inequalities?
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. Consider the following pairs: (2016)
|
|
Terms sometimes seen in the news
|
Their origin
|
|
1.
|
Annex-I Countries
|
Cartagena Protocol
|
|
2.
|
Certified Emissions Reductions
|
Nagoya Protocol
|
|
3.
|
Clean Development Mechanism
|
Kyoto Protocol
|
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Q. In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? (2019)
(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
Ans: (c)
Mains:
Q: What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (2018)
Tea Board of India
18-06-2025
Source: BL
The Tea Board of India has amended the pan-India auction rules under the Bharat Auction model, based on key recommendations of the Ramaseshan Committee, aiming to enhance price discovery and protect seller interests in the tea sector.
- Ramaseshan Committee report pertains to improving price discovery and market structure in the tea industry.
- Bharat Auction model is a pan-India electronic auction system introduced by the Tea Board of India in which bids are placed prior to the lots going live.
- About Tea Board of India:
- Establishment: It was established in 1953 and is headquartered in Kolkata. It has 17 offices across India.
- It also has overseas offices like in London, Moscow and Dubai.
- Statutory Body: It was set up under Section 4 of the Tea Act, 1953.
- Regulatory Authority: It regulates various entities including tea producers, manufacturers, exporters, tea brokers, auction organisers, and warehouse keepers.
- Functions: It conducts market surveys, analyses, identifies, tracks consumer behaviour, and provides relevant and accurate information to importers and exporters.
Key Agricultural Boards in India:
|
Board
|
Constituted Under
|
Headquarters
|
|
Tea Board
|
Tea Act, 1953
|
Kolkata
|
|
Coffee Board
|
Coffee Act, 1942
|
Bangalore
|
|
Rubber Board
|
Rubber Act, 1947
|
Kottayam, Kerala
|
|
Spices Board
|
Spices Board Act, 1986
|
Kochi, Kerala
|
|
Tobacco Board
|
Tobacco Board Act, 1975
|
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
|
|
National Turmeric Board
|
Not a statutory body
|
Nizamabad, Telangana
|
|
Makhana Board
|
-
|
Bihar (Proposed)
|
India-Australia Clean Energy Partnership
17-10-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Australia is engaging with India at a crucial time as both nations aim to achieve ambitious renewable energy goals while reducing reliance on China for critical materials amid global supply chain vulnerabilities.
What is the Need to Scale Up Australia-India Clean Energy Partnership?
- Climate Change in the Indo-Pacific Region: The Indo-Pacific faces grave climate risks, averaging 10 climate disasters per month (1970–2022), with up to 89 million displaced and 80% of the population affected by 2050.
- Overdependence on China: China dominates critical materials, refining over 90% of rare earth elements and producing 80% of global solar modules.
- India relies on imports of rare earth magnets and battery materials for EVs and wind power, while Australia produces lithium, cobalt, and rare earths but lacks refining and downstream manufacturing capacity.
- Renewable Energy Partnership (REP): Launched in 2024, REP outlines cooperation across eight areas—solar PV technology, green hydrogen, energy storage, solar supply chains, circular economy in renewables, two-way investment, capacity building, and other shared priorities.
- It also introduces a Track 1.5 Dialogue to connect policymakers, industry, and research institutions for practical collaboration.
- Clean Energy Supply Chain: Australia provides critical minerals and regulatory stability for co-investment in refining and processing, while India offers scale, a skilled workforce, and market demand for solar, storage, and hydrogen backed by Skill India and Production Linked Initiative (PLI) schemes.
- Together, they can create a resilient, regionally anchored clean energy ecosystem.
- Shared Climate Ambitions: India targets 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, including 280 GW from solar, while Australia aims for a 62–70% emission reduction by 2035, aligned with its net-zero goals.
What are India's Strategic Global Partnerships for Clean Energy Transition?
- India–EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP): Established in 2016, this partnership supports joint projects in offshore wind, solar parks, smart grids, energy storage, biofuels, green hydrogen, and efficiency in buildings.
- US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP): Focuses on advancing clean energy supply chain, research and development, deployment of solar, wind, batteries, energy grid systems, and clean-tech manufacturing.
- Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) with Denmark: Denmark launched GFAI to strengthen cooperation on sustainable energy solutions and advance the shared goal of carbon neutrality, focusing on green fuels like green hydrogen.
- Global Biofuels Alliance: It was launched in 2023 at the G20 Summit in New Delhi by India and leaders from the USA, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Singapore, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and the UAE to promote sustainable biofuels.
Renewable Energy in India
- Renewable Energy Capacity: As of March 2025, the total renewable energy (RE) capacity has reached 220.10 GW, up from 198.75 GW the previous year.
- Sectoral Breakdown:
- Solar Energy: The total installed solar capacity now stands at 105.65 GW, with 23.83 GW added in FY 2024–25, making solar the largest contributor to the year’s capacity expansion.
- Wind Energy: The total cumulative installed wind capacity now stands at 50.04 GW, with 4.15 GW of new capacity added in 2024–25.
- Bioenergy: Bioenergy installations reached a total capacity of 11.58 GW, including 0.53 GW from off-grid and waste-to-energy projects.
- Small Hydro Power: Small Hydro Power projects have reached a capacity of 5.10 GW, with an additional 0.44 GW under implementation.
- India’s Panchamitra Plan:

|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership in addressing climate change and supply chain vulnerabilities.
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership (REP)?
REP is a bilateral initiative launched in 2024 focusing on solar PV, green hydrogen, energy storage, and capacity building to strengthen clean energy collaboration.
2. What is the status of renewable energy capacity in India?
Total capacity reached 220.10 GW, with solar at 105.65 GW, wind at 50.04 GW, bioenergy at 11.58 GW, and small hydro at 5.10 GW.
3. Why is overdependence on China a challenge for India and Australia?
China refines over 90% of rare earth elements and produces 80% of global solar modules, creating risks in EV, wind, and solar sectors for both countries.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Which one of the following is the purpose of ‘UDAY’, a scheme of the Government? (2016)
(a) Providing technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs in the field of renewable sources of energy
(b) Providing electricity to every household in the country by 2018
(c) Replacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind and tidal power plants over a period of time
(d) Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. “Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (2018)
Q. Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problem of conventional energy. (2013)
Green Crackers
17-10-2025
Source:TH
The Supreme Court of India has relaxed the year-long blanket ban on fireworks in Delhi-NCR, allowing the sale and use of green crackers approved by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) during Deepavali 2025.
- The court called it a “test case” to balance festivals with pollution control, noting blanket bans led to smuggling and use of harmful fireworks.
- Green Crackers: Designed to reduce air pollution by modifying traditional formulations. They achieve this through smaller shell sizes, elimination of ash, reduced raw material use, and addition of dust suppressants.
- They ensure at least 30% reduction in particulate matter (PM) or 20% PM reduction plus 10% reduction in gaseous emissions (SO₂ and NO₂) compared to conventional crackers.
- Green crackers can be of two types:
- Improved Fireworks: Modified existing crackers with cleaner compositions.
- New Formulation Fireworks: Developed with new materials and compositions to further cut emissions.
- In Arjun Gopal vs Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court banned non-certified firecrackers with barium salts and allowed only PESO-approved green crackers meeting reduced-emission standards.
Tomahawk Missiles
17-10-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The U.S. President has indicated that Washington may consider supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if Russia does not undertake credible measures to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
What are Tomahawk Missiles?
- About: The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. It can be launched from ships and submarines for precision strikes on high-value or heavily defended targets.
- The missile’s low-altitude flight path and advanced guidance systems allow it to evade radar and navigate complex terrain.
- Propulsion: The missile fires a solid propellant at launch, then runs on a turbofan that emits minimal heat, so it’s hard to spot with infrared sensors.
- Guidance Systems: Uses GPS, Inertial Navigation System (INS), TERCOM (terrain mapping), and DSMAC (digital scene matching) for high precision.
- Modern variants allow mid-flight reprogramming, enabling real-time target adjustments or mission aborts.
What is the Difference Between a Cruise Missile and a Ballistic Missile?
|
Parameter
|
Cruise Missile
|
Ballistic Missile
|
|
Trajectory
|
Follows a comparatively straight and controlled trajectory.
|
Travels in a projectile path; trajectory depends on gravity, air resistance, and Coriolis Force.
|
|
Flight Path
|
Remains within the Earth’s atmosphere throughout its flight.
|
Leaves the Earth’s atmosphere and re-enters it.
|
|
Range
|
Short-range missile
|
Long-range missile
|
|
Indian Examples
|
BrahMos, Nirbhay, LRLACM
|
Prithvi I & II, Agni series, Dhanush. Shaurya, K-15 (Sagarika), K-4 (Submarine-launched).
|
|
Global Examples
|
Tomahawk (USA), Kalibr (Russia), CJ-10 (China), Babur (Pakistan).
|
Minuteman III (USA), DF-41 (China), RS-24 Yars (Russia), Shaheen-II (Pakistan).
|
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Tomahawk missiles and who uses them?
Long-range, subsonic cruise missiles used by US, UK, Australia; launched from ships/submarines for precision strikes on high-value targets.
2. What are the key features of cruise missiles?
Fly within the atmosphere, guided, subsonic or supersonic, powered throughout, highly accurate, range up to ~2,000 km, carry conventional or nuclear warheads.
3. What are the key features of ballistic missiles?
Follow a parabolic trajectory, exit and re-enter the atmosphere, long-range (300–12,000 km), less accurately, carry conventional or nuclear warheads.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Consider the following statements : (2023)
- Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocketpowered only in the initial phase of flights.
- Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: (d)
Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)
(a) An Israeli radar system
(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
(c) An American anti-missile system
(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.
Ans: (c)
Sundarbans’ SAIME Model Wins FAO Global Recognition
17-10-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) model developed by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) in West Bengal’s Sundarbans has been conferred Global Technical Recognition by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
What is the SAIME Model?
- About: It is a community-based initiative in the Sundarbans, West Bengal, that aims to balance mangrove conservation with aquaculture-based livelihoods.
- Under this model, 5–30% of aquaculture pond areas are kept under mangrove cover, protecting the ecosystem while supporting fish and shrimp farming.
- Farmers use mangrove litter as natural fodder for the Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), a high-value species traditionally farmed in the region, thereby reducing dependence on chemical inputs.
- The approach promotes climate-adaptive aquaculture, helping farmers increase profits and strengthen coastal resilience against sea-level rise and erosion.
- Impact: The SAIME Model has doubled farmers’ annual net profits by cutting down on production costs.
- The SAIME approach is climate-adaptive, addressing the threats of sea-level rise and salinity intrusion in the deltaic Sundarbans.
- Mangroves integrated into ponds act as natural carbon sinks, aiding carbon sequestration and mitigating local climate impacts.
- By balancing economic needs with environmental responsibility, it demonstrates a scalable solution for coastal livelihood resilience.
- The model contributes directly to global climate goals under the FAO’s sustainable food systems and ecosystem restoration frameworks.
Sundarbans
- Geographical Distribution: The Sundarbans hosts the largest mangrove forests in the world, located on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers along the Bay of Bengal.
- It is a unique mangrove ecosystem that lies between land and sea, consisting of a mosaic of islands constantly shaped by tidal waters, and is spread across India and Bangladesh in tropical and subtropical zones.
- Biological Landscape:
- Flora: Dominated by Heritiera fomes (sundari), Excoecaria agallocha (gewa), Ceriops decandra (goran), and Sonneratia apetala (keora).
- Salinity increase is replacing tall trees with dwarf species, changing forest structure.
- Fauna: Bengal tiger, Gangetic and Irrawaddy dolphins, estuarine crocodiles, and olive ridley turtles.
- Ecological Role: It acts as a nursery ground for fish, crabs, and shrimp; mangroves buffer coasts against storms and store carbon.
- Socio-Economic Landscape:
- Livelihoods: More than 12 million people (4.5 million in India and 7.5 million in Bangladesh) live in this estuarine ecosystem.
- Cultural Harmony: Traditional beliefs, folklore, and rituals emphasize respect for nature, e.g., Bonbibi worship symbolizes coexistence between humans and wildlife.
- Protection:
- The Sundarbans was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 in India and 1997 in Bangladesh.
- Sundarban Wetland (India) was declared a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2019.
- India–Bangladesh MoU (2011) was signed to promote joint conservation and monitoring of the Sundarbans’ shared ecosystem.
- The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (BR) includes multiple national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, such as:
- Sundarbans National Park (India)
- The Sundarban Wildlife Sanctuaries in Bangladesh are part of a large mangrove forest.
- Sundarbans Reserve Forest (Bangladesh)


What is the Significance of Mangroves?
- Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves are powerful blue carbon sinks, storing tonnes of carbon per hectare due to slow decomposition in their saline, oxygen-poor soils.
- Coastal Protection: They act as natural barriers against storms, tsunamis, and erosion reducing wave energy by 5–35% and flood depths by up to 70%, safeguarding coastal communities.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Home to over 5,700 species in India mangroves are vital for ecological balance.
- Mangroves support global fisheries, nurture marine species, and provide honey, fruits, and leaves, sustaining millions of coastal livelihoods.

What are the Major Threats and Conservation Strategies for India's Mangrove Ecosystem?
|
Aspect
|
Threat
|
Conservation Strategy
|
|
Land Conversion
|
Large-scale clearing of mangroves for aquaculture, oil palm, and rice cultivation has led to significant loss of mangrove cover.
|
Enforce stricter coastal zoning and land-use regulations. Integrate mangrove buffers in coastal development plans.
|
|
Timber Extraction & Charcoal Production
|
Unsustainable logging and wood harvesting degrade mangrove ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity.
|
Promote alternative livelihoods for local communities. Strengthen enforcement under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
|
|
Pollution
|
Oil spills, industrial effluents, and plastic waste hinder mangrove regeneration and soil quality.
|
Implement phytoremediation and cleanup drives. Impose strict liability for oil and chemical spills.
|
|
Invasive Species
|
Species like Prosopis juliflora outcompete native flora, alter soil salinity, and obstruct mangrove regeneration.
|
Use bio-restoration methods and native species replantation for protecting the native species.
|
|
Climate Change & Sea-Level Rise
|
Increased salinity, coastal erosion, and submergence threaten mangrove habitats.
|
Strengthen Blue Carbon Initiative participation. Build climate-resilient mangrove belts.
|
Conclusion
The SAIME model shows how mangrove conservation and aquaculture can coexist, boosting livelihoods and climate resilience. It reduces carbon emissions while protecting coastal ecosystems and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
How does the SAIME model in the Sundarbans integrate livelihood security with mangrove conservation?
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the SAIME model?
The Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) is a community-based initiative in the Sundarbans that balances mangrove conservation with aquaculture livelihoods.
2. Which species is primarily farmed under SAIME?
Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is the main species, with mangrove litter used as natural fodder, reducing chemical inputs.
3. What is the geographical spread of the Sundarbans?
The Sundarbans spans India and Bangladesh, forming the largest mangrove forest on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, covering 10,000 km².
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. Consider the following protected areas: (2012)
- Bandipur
- Bhitarkanika
- Manas
- Sundarbans
Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (2019)
Indigenous Military Combat Parachute System
17-10-2025
Source: PIB
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the indigenously developed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) from a record altitude of 32,000 feet, marking a major milestone in indigenous defence innovation and self-reliance.
- Development: MCPS is developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (Agra) and Defence Bioengineering & Electromedical Laboratory (Bengaluru).
- High-Altitude Capability: It is the only parachute system in operational use by the Indian Armed Forces capable of functioning above 25,000 feet.
- Navigation Security: Integrated with Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), MCPS provides secure, interference-free operations and resilience against external jamming or denial-of-service threats.
- Advanced Features: Designed with a lower descent rate, superior steering control, accurate navigation, and pre-determined landing zone deployment, ensuring greater paratrooper safety and mission efficiency.
- Strategic Importance: MCPS enhances operational autonomy, reduces dependency on foreign systems, and ensures quicker maintenance turnaround during wartime or emergencies.
Aluminium-ion Battery
17-09-2025
Source-PIB
The Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a flexible aqueous aluminum-ion battery as a safe and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries commonly used in phones, laptops, electric vehicles, etc.
Aluminium-ion Battery
- Material Used: The battery uses aluminum, one of the most abundant and eco-friendly metals, combined with a water-based electrolyte, making it cheaper, non-explosive, and environmentally safe.
- Components: It consists of a copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCFe) cathode (Positive electrode) pre-filled with aluminum ions and a molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) anode (negative electrode).
- Performance: The battery remains capable even after 150 charge–discharge cycles, and can continuously power devices while being folded.
- It is designed to be flexible enough to bend or fold like paper without losing performance.
- Applications: Opens up avenues for flexible smartphones, wearable devices and safer electric vehicles.
- This development positions India at the forefront of sustainable and next-generation energy storage solutions aligned with global climate and environmental goals.
- Challenges: Slow diffusion of Al³⁺ ions and potential structural collapse of materials like graphite limit cycle stability.
- Aluminum anodes suffer from corrosion, which can impact the longevity of the battery.
Lithium-ion Battery
- It is a rechargeable battery in which lithium ions travel between a negative electrode (graphite) and a positive electrode (Li transitional metal oxides) via a non-aqueous electrolyte during the charging and discharging process.
- It stores more energy in a compact form and offers longer cycles between charges.
- Unlike older lead-acid batteries, it is lighter and uses less toxic Li and carbon electrodes.
Promoting Global Capability Centres in India
17-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) suggested a framework for a National Global Capability Centres (GCCs) Policy, that can position India as the global headquarters for innovation-driven GCCs.
- The policy structure is anchored in three pillars—national direction, enabling ecosystem, and measurable outcomes—supported by four critical success factors: talent, infrastructure, regional inclusion, and innovation.
What are Global Capability Centres?
- About: A Global Capability Centre (GCC) is a fully owned offshore unit of a multinational corporation.
- It centralises and delivers key functions like IT, finance, engineering, customer service, and R&D from cost-efficient global locations.
- GCCs in India: India hosts nearly half of the world’s GCCs, and according to CII, their number could rise from 1,800 to 5,000 by 2030, with 36 new GCCs added every two weeks.
- Economic Contribution: It contributes approximately USD 68 billion in Direct Gross Value Addition (GVA), accounting for 1.8% of India’s GDP. By FY2030, it could contribute USD 470– USD 600 billion to India’s GDP.
- Employment Generation: India’s GCC ecosystem supports 10.4 million jobs in FY25 and could generate 20–25 million jobs by 2030, including 4–5 million direct jobs.
What are the Key Growth Drivers of GCCs in India?
- Diverse Talent Pool: India’s vast skilled workforce, with 1.9 million professionals in GCCs and millions of STEM graduates, offers diversity in regions, languages, and perspectives.
- Opportunities in global projects, cutting-edge tech, and career growth help retain talent in AI, Data Science, and Cybersecurity.
- Emerging Markets: India’s strategic location enables access to Asian markets, local consumer insights, and its own growing domestic market.
- Risk Mitigation: Geographically diverse operations and resilience during COVID-19 make Indian GCCs reliable risk management hubs.
- Enhanced Scalability & Flexibility: India’s mature GCC ecosystem and infrastructure allow companies to scale operations rapidly as per business needs.
- Compliance & Governance: Strong data protection, privacy laws, and governance frameworks ensure high standards and regulatory compliance.
Proposed National Policy for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) by CII
- Focus on Priority Sectors: India should prioritize GCCs in Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Electronics Design to optimize investment and skill utilization.
- Tax Incentives: Implement facilitative tax policies to reward high-value functions, IP creation, and digital infrastructure and provide employment-linked deductions for new hires.
- Recalibrate Safe Harbour: Lower India’s above-global safe harbour markups and clarify distinctions, such as Software Development vs. R&D, while expanding eligibility to include more GCCs.
- Infrastructure and Regulatory Reforms: Develop Digital Economic Zones (DEZs) for a dedicated GCC ecosystem with a central authority for strategy and compliance.
- GCC growth should align with Smart Cities and Gati Shakti, while promoting tier-II and tier-III cities as alternative hubs.
- Innovation & Sustainability Focus: India should provide incentives for ESG-led innovation.
What are the Challenges Faced by GCCs in India and the Potential Way Forward?
|
Challenges
|
Way Forward
|
|
India’s digital skills gap is projected to rise from 25% in 2023 to 29% by 2028, with only 43% of graduates industry-ready, forcing companies to invest heavily in reskilling.
|
Standardized Reskilling Platforms should offer certifications in AI, cloud, and data analytics, while incentives like tax benefits or subsidies should promote large-scale graduate upskilling.
|
|
Policymakers worry that GCCs overlap with domestic IT firms, may weaken IT exports, and produce limited high-end projects in India.
|
A Clear Differentiation Strategy should position GCCs for strategic innovation and R&D.
|
|
Most GCC work remains routine and outsourceable, with limited Intellectual Property (IP) creation, restricting India’s rise in the global value chain.
|
Create special innovation zones with strong IP protection to attract GCCs and mandate IP leadership for greater ownership of product development.
|
|
High attrition in the GCC sector, particularly in AI, analytics, and digital roles, makes it hard to retain talent and sustain growth.
|
Promote global assignments, and high-impact projects, offer a competitive work culture.
|
Conclusion
India’s GCC ecosystem offers significant economic and employment potential but faces challenges such as a widening digital skills gap, limited IP creation, and high attrition. Strategic policies—including sector prioritization, tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and Digital Economic Zones (DEZs)—can strengthen the sector, enhance global competitiveness, and ensure sustainable growth and job creation.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are becoming the new growth engine for the Indian economy. Discuss their potential while examining the key challenges they pose to the domestic IT sector.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)
- Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
- Create meaningful short stories and songs
- Disease diagnosis
- Text-to-Speech Conversion
- Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(A) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(B) 1, 3 and 4 only
(C) 2, 4 and 5 only
(D) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (B)
Mains
Q. “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (2020)
Quality Control Orders
17-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The rapid increase in Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) over the past three years has drawn criticism from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which view these mandatory QCOs regulations as costly and restrictive to their operations.
What are Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?
- About: BIS certification is voluntary by default but becomes mandatory for certain products when required in the public interest, such as for health, environment, national security, or to prevent unfair trade practices.
- For these products, mandatory compliance with Indian Standards is enforced through Quality Control Orders (QCOs), which direct the use of the BIS Standard Mark under a valid BIS licence.
- Objective: Aligned with Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement of World Trade Organization (WTO), QCOs aim to ensure product safety, curb substandard goods, attract investment, and protect consumers, while helping manufacturers detect defects early and improve quality.
- Legal Provisions: Based on BIS Act, 2016, QCOs are issued by the relevant Line Ministries or Regulators of the Central Government for specific products or categories after consultation with BIS.
- Products under QCOs are governed by BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
- Violating a QCO is punishable under BIS Act, 2016 with imprisonment, fine, or both.
- QCOs cannot be challenged at the WTO if they are imposed on the grounds of health, safety, environment and deceptive trade practices, or national security.
- Prohibition Orders: After a QCO comes into effect, no one can manufacture, import, sell, or handle the covered products without a BIS Standard Mark under a valid Licence.
- Applicability to Imported Goods: Domestic rules apply equally to imports. Foreign manufacturers must obtain Licence/Certificate of Conformity (CoC) under Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
What are the Challenges Related to Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?
- High Compliance Costs: QCOs make BIS certification compulsory, with penalties for non-compliance. Producers of intermediate goods generally support them, but downstream industries worry that the added certification costs will push up production expenses and eventually increase consumer prices, leading to disputes.
- Smaller enterprises often struggle to comply compared to larger companies, affecting competitiveness.
- Non-Tariff Barrier Effect: QCOs can restrict imports of certain goods, limiting access to cheaper raw materials.
- QCOs can complicate India’s trade negotiations, as mandatory compliance requirements may be perceived as non-tariff barriers by partner countries, potentially affecting agreements with the US, EU, and other trade partners.
- Limited Coverage and Industry Pushback: Of over 23,000 BIS standards, only 187 have QCOs, mostly in steel and electronics, showing narrow reach and challenges in wider enforcement.
- Implementation Challenges: Delays or difficulties in obtaining BIS certification can disrupt production and sales.
Steps Taken by BIS to Address Current Challenges Regarding QCOs
- Digitisation of Certification: BIS has digitised the certification process and provides time-bound certification within 30 days to domestic industries, including MSMEs, covering over 750 products.
- Open Interaction Platforms:
- Jan Sunwai: A portal where anyone can log queries.
- Manak Manthan: Field-level engagement to provide handholding support to MSMEs.
What Measures are Needed to Ensure Effective Implementation of QCOs?
- Recognition of Cluster-Based Testing Facilities: Promoting industry clusters with shared testing infrastructure helps small enterprises access quality certification at lower cost without duplicating resources.
- Technical Assistance and Training: Providing hands-on training programs on Indian Standards, product testing, and documentation ensures smoother certification compliance.
- Market Linkages and Export Support: Linking certified MSME products with government procurement schemes, e-commerce platforms, and export promotion programs incentivizes compliance and enhances market reach.
- Leveraging Certification Bodies and Trade Agreements: Utilizing accredited certification bodies for low- and medium-risk products to reduce BIS workload and improve processing times.
- Pursuing mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) in trade negotiations can streamline compliance for exports and foster international market access.
- Feedback Mechanism for Continuous Improvement: Creating a real-time grievance redressal and suggestion system allows MSMEs to report bottlenecks and helps regulators refine QCO procedures dynamically.
Conclusion
Effective QCO implementation requires a synergy of regulatory clarity, digital facilitation, financial relief, and active engagement with MSMEs. These measures not only reduce compliance burdens but also strengthen the domestic quality ecosystem, boost consumer trust, and support the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Examine the significance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) in strengthening India’s domestic quality ecosystem and protecting consumer interests.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)
- The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes.
- AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: A
Chhattisgarh Forest Department Withdraws CFRR Directive
17-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Chhattisgarh Forest Department withdrew its directive that had designated itself as the nodal agency for implementing Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
What are Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR)?
- About: CFRR are a key provision under Section 3(1)(i) of the FRA, 2006, which empowers forest-dwelling communities to protect, regenerate, conserve, and manage their customary forests.
- Key Features of CFRR:
- Recognition of Rights: CFRR gives Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) the legal right to live, use, and cultivate forest land they’ve been dependent on.
- Gram Sabha as Governing Body: CFR rights legally empower Gram Sabhas to manage, protect, and regenerate forests.
- Gram sabhas draft forest management plans focused on local needs like livelihoods, restoration, and biodiversity. These must align with official plans but not be controlled by them, ensuring local knowledge guides adaptive forest management.
- Sustainable Livelihoods: Communities can collect and sell non-timber forest produce (NTFP) (Minor Forest Produce) like bamboo, honey, herbs, etc.
- Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH): CFRR balances ecological protection with rights, ensuring wildlife conservation without displacing people unfairly.
- Empowers locals to stop deforestation, illegal mining, and other external threats.
- Importance:
- Corrects Historical Injustice: CFRR challenges the colonial legacy of centralized control over forests by shifting power to local communities, thus rectifying historical injustices where local institutions were replaced by bureaucratic forest departments.
- Strengthens Conservation: Recognises the role of traditional knowledge in managing forests and biodiversity, especially in protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries.
- Empowers Communities: It places conservation power and responsibility in the hands of those who live closest to the forests.
Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
- About: The FRA, 2006 (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006) recognizes and grants forest rights to forest-dwelling STs and OTFDs who have lived in forests for generations without formal documentation.
- Its aims are to address historical injustices, empower communities by ensuring sustainable access to land, and promote ecological balance.
- The Act also facilitates the diversion of forest land for public welfare projects with Gram Sabha approval.
- Key Provisions:
- Ownership Rights: Grants ownership of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) like bamboo and brushwood.
- Community Rights: Includes rights to grazing, fishing, water access, and the protection of customary traditions.
- Habitat Rights: Protects the rights of primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities to their traditional habitats.
- Community Forest Resource (CFR): Empowers communities to manage and regenerate forests sustainably.
What is the National Working Plan Code, 2023 and How does it Conflict with the CFRR?
- National Working Plan Code, 2023: Released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the NWPC 2023 is a revised framework for scientific forest management across India.
- It builds on the earlier codes of 2004 and 2014 with a more integrated and updated approach.
- The code aims to guide state forest departments in sustainable forest planning, focusing on biodiversity conservation, forest productivity, soil and water management, and socio-economic benefits.
- Concerns Over NWPC in CFRR Management:
- Top-down Approach: NWPC imposes bureaucratic forest department control over forests that should be managed by gram sabhas, as mandated by the FRA, 2006.
- Colonial Timber Focus: The NWPC is rooted in colonial forestry, prioritizing timber extraction over biodiversity and livelihood needs. It conflicts with FRA's community-based approach, which aims to empower gram sabhas to manage forests for sustainable livelihoods and conservation.
- Excludes Community Wisdom: It ignores traditional ecological knowledge and lived experience of local forest dwellers in favour of technical, data-heavy methods.
- Incompatible Planning: The rigid formats and technical demands of NWPC are not suited for the flexible, context-specific CFR plans needed at the community level, delaying grassroots forest governance.
- Potential for Misuse: NWPC can be used by forest departments to regain control over CFR areas, undermining the legal authority of gram sabhas.
- Obstructs Climate Resilience: Static working plans under NWPC fail to adapt to climate variability, while CFR plans led by communities can offer more adaptive, real-time responses.
What Steps are Needed to Ensure Effective CFRR Implementation?
- Institutional Clarity and Legal Compliance: Forest Departments must not override Gram Sabha authority. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), as the nodal agency for FRA, must actively defend Gram Sabha autonomy and resist pressures to dilute the law through other instruments like the NWPC 2023, which risks recentralising forest governance.
- Financial and Administrative Support for Gram Sabhas: The 15th Finance Commission recommended direct financial devolution to local bodies.
- Streamlining and Scaling CFR Plan Preparation: The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan provides an indicative framework for CFR Management Plans. States must adopt this with flexibility and ensure iterative learning.
- Digital Mapping and Dashboards: States like Odisha and Maharashtra have shown success with digitally mapped CFR areas.
- A national-level CFR Dashboard (similar to the PMAY or JJM dashboards) should be created to track recognition and implementation.
- Independent Oversight: Constitute state-level CFR implementation committees involving Adivasi leaders, ecologists, and legal experts to review grievances and implementation hurdles.
- Judicial Backing: The Supreme Court (e.g., in Wildlife First v. MoEFCC, 2019) have emphasised the primacy of rights under the FRA. Courts must be vigilant against administrative dilution of CFRR.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the role of the Gram Sabha in forest governance underCommunity Forest Resource Rights. How can the autonomy of Gram Sabhas be strengthened in the face of bureaucratic resistance?
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(c) Ministry of Rural Development
(d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Ans: (d)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2019)
- As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
- As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
- The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q. If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? (2022)
(a) This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
(b) This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
(c) This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
(d) The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.
Ans: (a)
Generative AI and Copyright Issues
17-07-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The rapid growth of generative artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT and Gemini has triggered concerns over the use of copyrighted content, raising key debates around intellectual property rights, authorship, deep fakes, and ethical AI governance.
- These developments challenge conventional legal and ethical frameworks and require urgent attention.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
- Artificial Intelligence (AI), first coined by John McCarthy in 1956 broadly refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.
- Generative AI represents a major advancement in AI, enabling machines to create original content—such as text, images, music, code, or videos—by learning from large datasets like books, websites, and digital art.
- Eg: ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude for natural language generation; DALL·E and Midjourney for image creation; and AIVA and Amper Music for music composition.
What are the Key Copyright Challenges Related to AI-generated Content?
- AI Mimics Copyrighted Material: AI models require vast datasets, often comprising copyrighted texts, images, and music, to train and optimize performance, raising concerns of unauthorized copying when AI mimics or replicates creative elements of original works.
- Although the AI may not directly reproduce works, its outputs can closely resemble protected content, leading to potential copyright infringement.
- Fair Use & Transformative Use: The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission, especially for research, education, or commentary. In the US, it is based on 4 factors: purpose, nature, amount used, and market impact.
- Tech firms claim AI training is transformative use, adding new expression, meaning or utility and qualifying as “non-expressive use”, i.e., not directly replicating expressive elements.
- In the Bartz vs. Anthropic (Claude AI) case, a US court upheld fair use for AI training on pirated books but acknowledged liability for storage.
- In Silverman vs. Meta (LLaMA AI) case, no market harm was found, but the court emphasized the need for creator compensation frameworks — highlighting evolving legal standards.
- AI, Creativity & Legal Liability: AI is reshaping copyright norms through AI-generated works (created solely by machines) and AI-assisted works (human-created with AI support).
- AI-assisted content is owned by humans, but AI-generated works raise unresolved questions of authorship and ownership.
- Legal liability in copyright infringement cases remains unclear, whether on the developer, user, or platform.
What is the Legal Status of AI-Generated Content in India?
- Legal Status of AI-Generated Content in India:
- Legal Gaps for AI-Generated Content: Indian law currently does not recognize non-human authorship, the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 attributes authorship solely to natural persons, excluding AI and its developers. As a result, AI-generated works without significant human input are not protected.
- Additionally, the use of copyrighted material for AI training remains a legal grey area, with no explicit provisions in place.
- While Section 52 permits certain uses for "research," its applicability to AI training has not been tested in Indian courts.
- Protection for AI-Assisted Works: When a human uses AI as a creative tool, the output may be protected and in such cases, authorship lies with the human, akin to traditional works created using digital tools.
- Fair Use Provisions under Indian Copyright Law: Section 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957 outlines exceptions to infringement, including:
- Private or personal use, including research or education
- Criticism or review of any work
- Reporting of current events or public lectures
- Reproduction for judicial proceedings
- Transient or incidental storage during digital transmission or linking
- These exceptions form the doctrine of fair dealing, similar to the fair use doctrine in the US.
- Judicial Interpretation Regarding Use of Copyrighted Material:
- Civic Chandran v. Ammini Amma (1996): The Kerala High Court held that parody does not amount to infringement, establishing a 3-factor test: quantity/value of content taken, purpose of use and likelihood of market competition
- Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak (2008): The Supreme Court (SC) held that raw SC judgments are public domain and not copyrightable, but editorial additions (like headnotes, formatting) by publishers are copyrightable if they show originality through skill and judgment.
- The Court rejected the “sweat of the brow” doctrine and adopted the “skill and judgment” test, marking a key judicial interpretation on the originality threshold under Indian copyright law.
- India TV v. Yashraj Films (2012): Delhi High Court, in this case expanded fair dealing to cinematographic and musical works, especially after the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012, which included exceptions for disabled access and non-commercial public use.
- DU Photocopy Case (Oxford v. Rameshwari Photocopy Services, 2016): The Delhi High Court ruled that photocopying book excerpts for educational use was fair dealing, affirming access to knowledge and public interest as guiding principles.
- Comparative & Evolving Frameworks: Indian courts increasingly rely on US fair use factors to interpret fair dealing under Section 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957, including the purpose and character of use, nature of the copyrighted work, amount and substantiality, market impact, and transformative character.
- However, India lacks a clear definition of “substantial portion”, leaving judicial discretion to determine fair use on a case-by-case basis.
- As a TRIPS-compliant nation, India seeks to align with Article 13 of the TRIPS Agreement, which mandates that exceptions to copyright must not conflict with normal exploitation of the work or unreasonably prejudice the rights holder.
- Policy Developments: A 2025 Commerce Ministry panel is reviewing the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 to address digital and AI-related gaps.
Comparative Global Approaches to AI-Generated Content
- US: Copyright is granted only if there’s substantial human creativity (Thaler v. Perlmutter, 2023). Purely AI-generated works are not protected.
- European Union: The AI Act 2024 mandates transparency of training data. Discussions are ongoing on a sui generis right for AI outputs, though the 2019 Copyright Directive lacks direct provisions.
- China: Beijing Internet Court delivered a first-of-its-kind judgment in mainland China, recognizing that a picture generated using the AI software Stable Diffusion qualifies as an artwork protected under copyright law.
- The court emphasized the “originality” and the intellectual contribution of the human creator, despite the use of AI tools.
- United Kingdom: Section 9(3) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 allows copyright for computer-generated works (CGWs) without a human author, assigning authorship to the person making the “necessary arrangements”. However, such works lack moral rights and the provision remains rarely applied due to legal ambiguities and limited judicial interpretation.
Note
- In 2021, South Africa became the first country to grant a patent to a machine-generated work, recognizing AI system DABUS as the inventor of a food container design based on fractal geometry.
Way Forward
- Legal Modernization & Fair Use Assessment: To address AI-related challenges such as training data usage and algorithmic reproduction, the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 should be updated to include AI-specific provisions.
- Additionally, courts can adopt a structured approach to fair use assessment by applying the 4-factor test outlined by the Kerala High Court in Civic Chandran v. C. Ammini Amma (1996), aligning India's framework more closely with US fair use standards.
- Data Governance & Compliance: Establish clear data usage policies for AI training with oversight mechanisms, audit trails, and mandatory compliance officers in AI firms to ensure adherence to copyright norms and ethical data handling.
- Balanced Innovation & Rights Protection: Develop a multi-stakeholder regulatory framework to strike a balance between innovation and copyright protection. This includes enabling collective licensing models and ensuring fair compensation for content creators.
- International Cooperation & Standard Setting: India should proactively engage in global forums like WIPO to shape harmonized copyright rules for AI and contribute to building global ethical and legal standards for generative technologies.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the key legal and ethical challenges posed by generative AI in relation to copyright laws. Suggest suitable regulatory measures.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q. In a globalized world, Intellectual Property Rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms—Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets. (2014)
50 Years of Crocodile Conservation Project and World Crocodile Day
17-06-2025
Source: TH
On World Crocodile Day (17th June), India commemorates 50 years of its Crocodile Conservation Project (CCP) (1975–2025), with Odisha emerging as the epicentre of this pioneering ecological effort.
- Odisha is the only Indian state to host wild populations of all three native crocodilian species (Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)).
- Crocodile Conservation Project: India launched its CCP at Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park with support from United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
- It adopted the “rear and release” method, created protected habitats like Bhitarkanika and Satkosia Tiger Reserve, and promoted captive breeding and community awareness, making it a national model for crocodilian conservation.
- Crocodiles: They are the largest surviving reptiles, primarily inhabit freshwater swamps, lakes, and rivers, with one saltwater species.
- They are nocturnal and poikilothermic (also known as ectotherms or cold-blooded animals, are characterized by their body temperature fluctuating with the surrounding environment).
- Their survival is threatened by habitat destruction, egg predation, poaching, dam construction, and sand mining.
- Population: India hosts nearly 80% of the global wild gharial population, with around 3,000 individuals across sites like National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarnia Ghat, and Son Gharial Sanctuary.
- The saltwater crocodile population has recovered to about 2,500, mainly in Bhitarkanika, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the Sundarbans.

“Fare Se Fursat” Fixed Airfare Scheme
16-10-2025
Source: PIB
The Minister of Civil Aviation, launched a new initiative titled "Fare Se Fursat", a fixed airfare scheme by India’s government-owned regional carrier, Alliance Air.
- India’s aviation sector’s dynamic pricing model is being reformed through a new scheme aimed at ensuring transparent, stable, and affordable regional airfares.
- Key Features
- Fixed Fare System: Passengers will pay a single, constant fare, even for same-day bookings.
- Aligned with UDAN: It supports the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) mission of making flying accessible for the middle and lower-middle classes.
- Passenger Benefits: Ensures predictable travel costs, reduces stress, and encourages first-time flyers from smaller towns.
India’s Aviation Sector
- India’s aviation industry has witnessed rapid expansion, making it the third-largest domestic aviation market after the USA and China.
- India’s aviation revenue is expected to grow by 15-20% in FY24 and 10-15% in FY25.
- Domestic air traffic in FY23 reached 306.79 million passengers, a 13.5% YoY growth, while international traffic rose 22.3% to 69.64 million passengers.
- Operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, with a goal of 350-400 by 2047.
India’s Progress Towards a Naxal-Free Bharat
16-10-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Maoist insurgency in India is gradually losing ground, with key leaders surrendering and many cadres leaving the movement. This reflects India’s steady progress in eliminating Naxalism and strengthening law enforcement efforts in affected regions.
What is the Status of Maoism or Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India?
- Shrinking Geographical Spread: LWE, once India's biggest internal security challenge, spread across the "Red Corridor" from Nepal's border in the north to Andhra Pradesh in the south, covering parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
- It is now confined to small pockets in central India, primarily in Chhattisgarh, with a limited presence in Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
- Decline in Violence and Cadre Strength: In 2013, 126 districts reported Naxal violence; by March 2025, this dropped to 18 districts, with only 6 classified as “Most Affected.”
- Left Wing Extremism (LWE) incidents dropped by more than 50% between 2004–14 and 2014–23.
- Maoism in India is in retreat, both territorially and operationally, with the government aiming for a completely Naxal-free Bharat by March 2026.
What is Maoism?
- About: Maoism is a form of communism developed by Mao Tse Tung. It seeks to capture state power through armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances, supported by propaganda and misinformation against state institutions.
- Mao called this process, the ‘Protracted People's War’, where the emphasis is on ‘military line’ to capture power.
- Naxalism often referred to as Left Wing Extremism (LWE), is an armed movement inspired by Maoist ideology that seeks to overthrow the Indian government through violent rebellion.
- The term Naxalite comes from the 1967 uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal, led by CPI(M) members. It refers to those advocating armed revolt against the state.
- Maoist Ideology: The central theme of Maoist ideology is the use of violence and armed insurrection as a means to capture State power.
- Indian Maoists: The largest and the most violent Maoist formation in India is the Communist Party of India (Maoist) formed in 2004.
- The CPI (Maoist) and its front organizations were banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
- Front Organizations are the off-shoots of the parent Maoist party, which professes a separate existence to escape legal liability.

What is India’s Strategy to Eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE)?
- Policy Framework: To address the LWE menace holistically, India approved a National Policy and Action Plan in 2015.
- It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc.
- The policy is complemented by the operational strategy ‘SAMADHAN’, together aiming to achieve a Naxal-free Bharat and transform Red Zones into Growth Corridors by March 2026.

- Security Measures:
- Deployment of Forces & Joint Operations: Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), India Reserve Battalions, and Joint Task Forces carry out intelligence-led operations, including major offensives like Operation Black Forest (Operation Kagar).
- Scheme of Fortified Police stations: Construction of Fortified Police Stations, security camps and night landing helipads to strengthen operational readiness.
- Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: Supports training, operations, community policing, ex-gratia payments, and rehabilitation of surrendered cadres.
- Financial & Intelligence Control: National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate target Maoist funding to cut off financial resources.
- Development Initiatives:
- Road Connectivity (RRP-I & RCPLWE): Expands road networks to improve access for both security and development purposes.
- Telecom Connectivity: Mobile Connectivity Projects and 4G expansion aim to connect all LWE-affected areas by December 2025.
- Financial Inclusion: Bank branches, ATMs, post offices, and Banking Correspondents operationalized to provide services in remote areas.
- Skill Development & Education: Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Skill Development Centres, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools strengthen human capital in tribal areas.
- Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) & Special Central Assistance (SCA): Funds for district-level facilities, police infrastructure, and essential public services.
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (2024 launch): Focus on personal amenities, improving road, mobile, and financial connectivity in over 15,000 villages.
- Empowerment & Public Engagement
- Civic Action Programme (CAP): Provides financial support for CAPFs to engage in welfare activities, fostering trust between security forces and communities.
- Media Plan: This scheme is being implemented as a sub-scheme under the Umbrella Scheme 'Modernization of Police Forces'.
- It includes activities such as Tribal Youth Exchange Programs, radio jingles, documentaries, pamphlets, and other outreach materials, all aimed at countering Maoist propaganda through awareness campaigns.
- Rehabilitation of Cadres: Surrendered Maoists are provided education, vocational training, and financial aid to reintegrate them into society.
What are the Challenges Encountered by India in Controlling Left Wing Extremism (LWE)?
- Mnemonic: “INSURGENT.”
- I – Insufficient State Reach: Limited reach of the state in remote and forested areas reduces the ability to monitor and counter insurgent activities effectively.
- N – Neglect / Lack of Development: Chronic neglect, lack of basic infrastructure, and minimal economic opportunities in affected areas create fertile ground for insurgent influence.
- S – Socio-economic Grievances: Widespread poverty, unemployment, and social inequalities drive marginalized communities to support Maoist ideology as a path to better resources and rights.
- U – Unstable Governance: Weak administration, local corruption, and lack of accountability allow LWE groups to operate with impunity.
- R – Remote / Difficult Terrain: Dense forests, hilly terrains, and inaccessible regions in the Red Corridor make surveillance and security operations challenging.
- G – Guerrilla Tactics & Mobilization: Highly mobile Maoist units use guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and infiltration of villages to sustain operations and evade capture.
- E – External Support: Some Maoist groups receive logistical, financial, or ideological backing from external sources, strengthening their capacity.
- N – Narratives / Propaganda: Maoists exploit local grievances through media, pamphlets, and word-of-mouth to recruit youth and maintain ideological influence.
- T – Tribal / Community Influence: Support from local and tribal communities, often driven by shared grievances or coercion, helps Maoists sustain their presence in rural areas.
What Measures can India Further Adopt for Naxal-Free Bharat?
- Mnemonic: “REINFORCE.”
- R – Revitalize Local Governance: Empower panchayats in tribal and remote areas to ensure faster grievance redressal, reducing the appeal of extremist ideologies.
- E – Employment & Livelihoods: Create sustainable rural jobs through vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and community-driven initiatives to integrate tribal youth into the formal economy and reduce dependence on illegal activities.
- I – Infrastructure Development: Improve connectivity, electricity, telecom, and access to healthcare in LWE-affected regions to break isolation and integrate remote areas into the national economy.
- N – Nurture Culture: Strengthen democratic values while preserving local culture, art, and languages to counter extremist narratives.
- F – Focus on Social Justice & Land Reforms: Implement the Forest Rights Act stringently, redistribute land, and ensure the rights of marginalized communities to address historical grievances that fuel discontent.
- O – Organize Community Policing & Trust-building: Adopt SMART policing and civic action initiatives to foster trust between security forces and local populations, making extremist infiltration more difficult.
- R – Rehabilitate & Counter Extremism: Launch awareness campaigns against Maoist propaganda and support rehabilitation programs to reintegrate affected individuals while empowering communities with peaceful avenues for redressal.
- C – Cooperatives & Economic Empowerment: Promote rural cooperatives in agriculture, handicrafts, and forest products, providing micro-loans and market access to build self-sustaining local economies.
- E – Enforcement & Border Security; Strengthen cross-border security, monitor arms and fund flows, and coordinate intelligence to disrupt Maoist logistics and prevent regrouping.
Conclusion
India’s multi-pronged strategy combining security, development, and rights-based empowerment has sharply weakened LWE, shrinking affected areas and restoring governance. Sustained political will and public participation have brought the country closer to a Naxal-free India.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Evaluate the effectiveness of India’s multi-pronged strategy in reducing Left Wing Extremism.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Maoism?
A communist ideology by Mao Tse Tung aiming to capture state power via armed insurgency and mass mobilization.
2. Which is the largest Maoist group in India?
Communist Party of India (Maoist), formed in 2004.
3. Are Maoist organizations legal in India?
No, CPI (Maoist) and its front organizations are banned under UAPA, 1967.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q. What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What Strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (2020)
Q. The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements. With Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) doctrine that affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth. (2015)
Quantum Breakthrough in Digital Security
16-10-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
In a global first, researchers from Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru have developed a method to generate true random numbers using a commercial quantum computer vital for hack-proof digital security.
What are True Random Numbers (TRNs) in Quantum Technology?
- About: Random numbers are sequences of numbers generated by measuring the inherently unpredictable behavior of quantum particles, arising from completely random physical processes rather than any predetermined algorithm or pattern.
- E.g., a photon in quantum superposition will randomly collapse into a state upon measurement. This randomness is not predictable or influenced by external factors.
- Time Separation over Spatial Separation: Previous experiments relied on spatial separation of quantum particles to ensure independence. Now, RRI introduced time separation in a single particle’s quantum state, allowing for more practical implementation in everyday settings, without requiring large setups.
- This innovation brings the technology closer to real-world applications, where external factors like noise could distort quantum behaviors.
- Significance in Digital Security: Random numbers are the foundation of encryption and cybersecurity, used to generate passwords, encryption keys, and authentication systems.
- True quantum randomness ensures unpredictability and maximum security, making it vital for future-ready encryption systems.
- Current systems rely on pseudorandom numbers generated by algorithms that only may become vulnerable to quantum computers in the near future.
How does True Random Numbers (TRNs) Differ from Current Methods?
|
Feature
|
Current Methods (PRNs)
|
True Random Numbers (TRNs)
|
|
Source of randomness
|
Algorithmic (pseudorandom numbers-PRNs) or classical physical noise (thermal, electronic)
|
Intrinsic quantum phenomena (photon polarization, electron spin, quantum superposition)
|
|
Predictability
|
Can be predicted if algorithm or seed is known
|
Fundamentally unpredictable due to quantum uncertainty
|
|
Nature
|
Deterministic or noise-based
|
Truly random, non-deterministic
|
|
Mechanism
|
Uses mathematical algorithms (e.g., Linear Congruential Generators) or classical processes
|
Measures quantum processes, e.g., photon passing through a beam splitter or electron spin measurement
|
|
Security
|
Suitable for general computing, less secure for cryptography
|
Highly secure; ideal for cryptography and quantum key distribution
|
|
Applications
|
Simulations, games, general computing
|
Secure communications, quantum cryptography, high-security applications
|
Quantum Technology
- About: Quantum Technology refers to a class of advanced technologies that exploit the unique principles of quantum mechanics — such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunneling — to perform tasks that are impossible or extremely inefficient with classical technologies.
- Core Principles:
- Superposition: Quantum particles (like electrons or photons) can exist in multiple states simultaneously until measured.
- Entanglement: Two or more quantum particles can become strongly correlated, so the state of one instantaneously affects the other, even at a distance.
- Quantum Tunneling & Coherence: Particles can pass through energy barriers and maintain a delicate quantum state, enabling precise computation and sensing.
National Quantum Mission
- About: It is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Science & Technology to promote research, development, and applications of quantum technologies. It runs from 2023–24 to 2030–31.
- Focus Areas:
- Quantum Computing: Develop intermediate-scale quantum computers (20–50 qubits in 3 years; 50–100 in 5 years; 50–1000 in 8 years).
- Quantum Communication: Satellite-based secure communication over 2000 km, inter-city Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and multi-node quantum networks.
- Quantum Sensing & Clocks: High-precision magnetometers, gravity sensors, and atomic clocks for navigation, timing, and secure communication.
- Quantum Materials & Devices: Develop superconductors, topological materials, and qubit devices for computing and metrology applications
- Implementation Strategy:
- Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): Four T-Hubs across IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras (with C-DoT), IIT Bombay, and IIT Delhi.
- Hub-Spoke-Spike Model: Central hubs, research projects (Spokes), and individual research groups (Spikes) for collaborative innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the National Quantum Mission (NQM)?
A flagship initiative by the Government of India (2023–31) to advance quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials, making India globally competitive.
2. What are Quantum Random Numbers?
Numbers generated from inherently unpredictable quantum particle behavior, used for secure encryption and hack-proof digital systems.
3. What are the main focus areas of NQM?
Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication (QKD & satellite-based), Quantum Sensing & Clocks, and Quantum Materials & Devices.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned? (2022)
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies
Ans: (b)
Annual Licensing Policy for Opium Cultivation for 2025-26
16-09-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Union Government has announced the annual licensing policy for opium poppy cultivation in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh for 2025-26, increasing eligible farmers to 1.21 lakh.
Annual Licensing Policy for Opium Cultivation for 2025-26
- It is designed to maintain a consistent supply of alkaloids for medical and palliative use while fostering self-reliance in opium and alkaloid production through government-run factories.
- The policy sets eligibility rules, offers incentives for high-performing farmers, and regulates those who do not meet performance standards.
- Under the “Make for World” vision, efforts are being made to promote Indian pharmaceutical companies by ensuring modernization and global quality standards.
What is Opium Poppy?
- About: The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) is an annual medicinal herb belonging to the Papaveraceae family.
- It is the primary source of opium gum, which contains alkaloids like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, widely used in modern medicine as painkillers, cough suppressants, and antispasmodics.
- Apart from medicinal use, it is also grown for edible seeds and seed oil.
- Favourable Conditions: Grows best in temperate climate and winter cultivation possible in sub-tropical regions.
- Cultivation needs well-drained, fertile light black or loamy soil with pH around 7.0.
- Frost, desiccating conditions, cloudy or rainy weather lower both quantity and quality of opium.
- Opium Cultivation in India: India is the only country authorized by the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) to produce gum opium. 11 other countries cultivate opium poppy, but they do not extract gum.
- Opium poppy has been cultivated in India since the 10th century. It became a federal monopoly during the Mughal period in the 16th century, came under British control from 1773, and is now regulated by the Indian government.
- Regulation: Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, cultivation of opium poppy is strictly prohibited except under a license issued by the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) (Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh).
- Cultivators are required to sell their entire opium production to CBN, with the price fixed by the government.
- Currently, licit cultivation is permitted only in selected tracts of the three traditional opium-growing states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
- As a signatory to the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, India is required to strictly adhere to the provisions and regulations outlined in the Convention while managing its opium production.
SC Issues DNA Evidence Guidelines in Criminal Cases
16-09-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
In the Kattavellai@Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu case 2025, the Supreme Court (SC) issued guidelines to ensure the integrity of DNA evidence in criminal investigations.
What are the Key SC Guidelines on DNA Evidence Handling?
- Proper Documentation at Collection Stage: The document must record important information like FIR number,investigating officer details, signatures of the medical professional, and independent witnesses.
- Samples must not be opened, altered, or resealed without trial court authorization.
- Timely Transportation: The investigating officer must transport DNA samples to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) within 48 hours.
- Chain of Custody Maintenance: A Chain of Custody Register must be maintained from sample collection to case closure and included in the trial court record.
What are the Key Issues Involved in DNA Evidence Management?
- Collection and Preservation Issues: DNA evidence is prone to contamination, degradation from heat or moisture, and may have insufficient quantity for analysis or retesting.
- Analysis Issues: DNA evidence faces human error, bias, and lack of standardized lab protocols, affecting reliability.
- Privacy Issues: DNA databases raise privacy concerns, function creep, surveillance risks, and potential genetic discrimination.
- Interpretative Issues: Overreliance on DNA and challenges with complex mixtures or trace DNA can lead to misinterpretation and wrongful convictions.
Judicial Stand on DNA Evidence Admissibility
- Kunhiraman v. Manoj Case (1991): DNA technology was first used in India to resolve a paternity dispute.
- Sharda v. Dharmpal Case (2003): The Supreme Court endorsed the use of DNA technology in civil and matrimonial disputes, ruling it does not violate Article 21 (right to personal liberty) or Article 20(3) (right against self-incrimination).
- Bharatiya Nagarik Surakhsha Sanhita, 2023 (Section 51): Authorizes the medical examination of apprehended individuals, including DNA profiling and other necessary tests by a registered medical practitioner.
- Rahul v. State of Delhi, MHA (2022): DNA evidence was rejected as the sample remained in police custody for two months, raising tampering concerns.
- Devakar case (2025): DNA evidence is classified as opinion evidence under Section 39 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and its probative value differs by case, requiring scientific and legal validation.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s guidelines in Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu (2025) ensure uniformity, scientific validity, and integrity of DNA evidence in criminal cases. Proper documentation, timely transportation, preservation, and chain of custody are critical to prevent contamination and strengthen the probative value of DNA as opinion evidence under the law.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the significance of the Supreme Court’s guidelines in maintaining the integrity of DNA evidence in criminal investigations.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:(2022)
1.assess the age of a plant or animal.
2.distinguish among species that look alike.
3.identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q. With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct? (2019)
(a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.
(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.
Ans: (a)
RBI’s FREE-AI Committee Report
16-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence (FREE-AI) Committee Report. It calls for 7 guiding sutras to promote responsible AI use in the financial sector while balancing innovation and risk mitigation.
What are the RBI’s 7 Sutras for AI adoption Under FREE-AI?
- Trust is the Foundation: Trust is non-negotiable and should remain uncompromised. Build Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems that are reliable, transparent, and inspire public confidence.
- People First: AI should support human decision-making but defer to human judgment and citizen interest, prioritising welfare, dignity, and inclusion.
- Innovation over Restraint: Encourage responsible innovation while avoiding unnecessary restrictions.
- Fairness and Equity: AI outcomes should be fair and non-discriminatory.
- Accountability: Accountability rests with the entities deploying AI and clearly define responsibilities for AI decisions and their impacts.
- Understandable by Design: Make AI systems and their decisions interpretable for users and regulators.
- Safety, Resilience, and Sustainability: Develop AI that is secure, adaptable, and sustainable in the long term.
What Can be the Significance of AI in Finance?
- Revenue Growth: AI is projected to drive significant revenue growth, with investments in financial services expected to reach Rs 8 lakh crore by 2027.
- Efficiency and Personalization: AI can streamline repetitive and time-consuming tasks, enabling financial institutions to process large volumes of data more quickly and accurately, such as in loan application processing.
- Financial Inclusion: AI uses alternative data (like utility bills, GST filings) to assess creditworthiness, enabling loans to “thin-file or new borrowers” excluded from traditional systems.
- Innovation in Digital Infrastructure: AI enhances India's digital public infrastructure (e.g., Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface) to provide personalized, adaptive financial services.
- Better Risk Management: AI helps in fraud detection, early risk warnings, and improved decision-making, optimizing risk management processes.
- J.P. Morgan’s AI payment validation cut fraud, lowering account rejection rates by 15–20%.
- Synergies with Emerging Tech: AI's integration with quantum computing and privacy technologies promises enhanced performance and security in finance.
What are the Challenges of AI in Finance?
- Model Bias and Risk: AI models can inherit biases from training data, leading to unfair decisions. The "black box" nature makes them hard to audit.
- Third-Party Risks: Heavy reliance on a few vendors or cloud providers can cause service disruptions, software issues, and cyber vulnerabilities.
- Regulatory and Liability Concerns: The lack of transparency in AI models complicates liability allocation in case of errors or biased outcomes.
- Cybersecurity Threats: While AI can improve security, it also opens new attack routes like data poisoning, adversarial inputs, and deepfakes.
- Ethical and Consumer Protection Issues: Algorithmic bias, privacy violations, and lack of transparency can undermine consumer trust and exclude vulnerable groups.
- Risk of Non-Adoption: Not using AI can hurt competitiveness, reduce efficiency, slow financial inclusion, and leave systems exposed to AI-powered threats.
India’s Policy Developments on AI in Finance
- The RBI has introduced MuleHunter AI, developed by RBI Innovation Hub to help banks quickly detect mule accounts and curb digital frauds.
- RBI’s digital lending rules require auditable AI credit assessments with human oversight and robust grievance redressal for AI-driven decisions.
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) consultation paper in 2025 provides guidelines for responsible AI use in Indian securities markets.
- IndiaAI Mission aims to foster AI innovation, enhance research, and improve access to computer infrastructure.
What are the RBI’s Recommendations for AI in Finance?
- Innovation Enablement: Establish high-quality financial sector data infrastructure as part of digital public infrastructure, integrated with AI Kosh.
- Create an AI Innovation Sandbox like GenAI Digital Sandbox, a secure test environment for financial institutions to trial AI models using anonymised data, with tools to detect bias or errors and ensure compliance with AML, KYC, and consumer protection norms.
- Consumer Protection & Security: Organizations should conduct proportionate AI red teaming through periodic and trigger-based tests and implement incident reporting frameworks with good-faith disclosure to manage AI risks effectively.
- Capacity Building within REs: Develop structured training programs for AI governance and risk mitigation at all levels within institutions.
- Establish frameworks for exchanging AI use cases and best practices across the financial sector.
- AI Incident Reporting: Create an AI incident reporting framework for timely detection and disclosure of AI-related issues.
Conclusion
The FREE-AI framework outlines how AI can be responsibly and ethically adopted in India’s financial sector, offering a roadmap for regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers to harness AI’s potential effectively.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the Reserve Bank of India’s “Seven Sutras” in balancing innovation with ethical safeguards in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the financial sector.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)
- Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
- Create meaningful short stories and songs
- Disease diagnosis
- Text-to-Speech Conversion
- Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b)
Mains:
Q. Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? (2023)
Semiconductor Industry in India
16-08-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Union Cabinet approved 4 new semiconductor projects in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), bringing the total to 10 projects across 6 states.
What are the Key Trends and Opportunities Shaping the Growth of India's Semiconductor Market?
- Market Size: India's semiconductor consumption market, valued at USD 52 billion in 2024-25, is expected to reach USD 103.4 billion by 2030 with Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13%.
- Mobile handsets, IT, and industrial applications account for approx 70% of revenue, while automotive and industrial electronics offer significant scope.
- Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, and the US dominate the semiconductor industry.
- India’s imports of Integrated circuits (ICs), memory chips, and amplifiers surged by 2,000%, 4,500%, and 4,800% from FY16–24, with China supplying nearly one-third of these imports.

- Key Opportunities for India:
- Large Market Potential: India has emerged as the world's second-largest market for 5G smartphones, trailing only behind China, holding a 13% share, behind China’s 32%.
- Surging Domestic Demand: Growing consumption of mobile devices, computers, and digital technologies, coupled with the 5G rollout and AI adoption, is driving strong demand for advanced semiconductors.
- Global Partnerships & Support: Collaborations with global semiconductor leaders and countries like US and Japan facilitate technology transfer and enhance India’s capabilities.
- Semicon India Programme and expansion of manufacturing and digitalisation strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
What is the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)?
- About: ISM, approved in 2021, aims to boost India’s global electronics value chain presence and establish it as a global manufacturing hub.
- It operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Objective: To support chip design startups, promoting indigenous IP and technology transfer, fostering research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration.
- It aims to reduce import dependence to strengthen India’s global semiconductor presence.
- Mission Focus:
- Set up chip manufacturing fabs
- Create packaging and testing units (ATMP/OSAT)
- Support chip design startups
- Train engineers and technical talent
- Attract global semiconductor investments
- Key Schemes under ISM:
- Semiconductor Fabs Scheme: Providing up to 50% fiscal support for wafer fabrication(fabs) units.
- Display Fabs Scheme: Up to 50% financial assistance for AMOLED/LCD display fabs to promote domestic innovation.
- Compound Semiconductors & ATMP/OSAT Scheme: Up to 50% support for compound semiconductors, MEMS/sensors, silicon photonics, and downstream packaging/testing facilities.
- Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: Promotes semiconductor design startups and Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by financial support up to Rs 15 crore per company across product development stages.
Initiatives to Promote India’s Semiconductor Industry in India
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme: PLI for large-scale electronics manufacturing and IT hardware to boost domestic production and exports.
- Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS): Strengthened component and semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
- Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC & EMC 2.0): Developed infrastructure and ecosystem for electronics manufacturing.
- Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017: Prioritizes domestically manufactured products in government procurement.
- Tax Reforms: Rationalization of tariffs, exemption of basic customs duty on capital goods, and other incentives.
- FDI Policy: Allows 100% FDI in electronics manufacturing, subject to applicable laws/regulations.
What are the Key Challenges to India’s Semiconductor Industry?
- Infrastructure & Innovation Challenges: Semiconductor fabrication involves 500–1,500 complex steps in cleanrooms, requiring advanced infrastructure, technology, and skilled talent.
- High costs of fab setup, R&D, and equipment, coupled with India’s weak semiconductor research and dependence on imported components and IP, limit innovation and technological self-reliance.
- Skilled Workforce Gap: India currently employs about 220,000 semiconductor professionals, but the industry faces a projected shortfall of 250,000 to 350,000 skilled workers by 2027 across the semiconductor value chain
- Technology & Global Competition: Taiwan and South Korea dominate global semiconductor production (80% of chip foundries), while ASML (Netherlands) controls EUV lithography, and Nvidia and ARM lead chip design, limiting India’s access to advanced technologies.
- Environmental & Regulatory Challenges: Semiconductor manufacturing uses hazardous chemicals, toxic metals, and high energy, creating environmental risks and added compliance costs.
- Complex regulations, IP issues, export controls, and policy uncertainty increase operational challenges for manufacturers.
What Steps Should India Take to Strengthen Its Semiconductor Industry?
- Skill Development: Establish specialized training programs in chip design, fabrication, and testing to build a skilled workforce.
- Boost R&D & Indigenous IP: Increase investment in research and development, support indigenous product design, and develop intellectual property, enabling startups and smaller companies to compete globally.
- Incentives & Policy Support: Strengthen government initiatives like India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and state-level policies (e.g., UP Semiconductor Policy 2024) to attract investments and promote semiconductor manufacturing.
- Chip Diplomacy & Niche Focus: Promote international collaboration (“chip diplomacy”) and focus on niche technologies like MEMS and sensors to position India in specialized segments of the global market.
- Private Sector Participation & Strategic Opportunities: Encourage private investment and collaborations, such as Tata-PSMC fab in Gujarat.
- Leverage geopolitical shifts (US-China tensions) to expand India’s semiconductor footprint.
Conclusion
India’s semiconductor sector is growing rapidly, driven by ISM, PLI, and SEMICON India, rising domestic demand, and global partnerships. Strengthening infrastructure, technology, and skills will be key to making India a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and design.

|
Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the growth potential of India’s semiconductor sector and suggest measures to overcome key challenges for self-reliance.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. Which one of the following laser types is used in a laser printer? (2008)
(a) Dye laser
(b) Gas laser
(c) Semiconductor laser
(d) Excimer laser
Ans: (c)
Q. With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements: (2018)
- India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
- The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country. (2016)
Cess and its Role in Union Finance
16-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged a Rs 3.69 lakh crore shortfall in transferring cess collections to their intended funds, bringing into focus the purpose and proper utilisation of such levies.
What is the Purpose of Levying a Cess?
- About: A cess, recognized under Article 270 is an additional tax levied by the Government of India for a specific purpose. It is levied on top of existing taxes or duties listed in the Union List.
- Purpose: Cess is distinct from regular taxes as it is earmarked for a designated purpose. The purpose of a cess must be clearly stated in the law imposing it and should be for a Union purpose, outside List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule.
- Cesses are named after their purpose (like Education Cess or Swachh Bharat Cess) and must be used only for that purpose, without being diverted for general government expenditure.
- Role in Union Finance: Proceeds from a cess, along with surcharges levied by the Union, are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India and are excluded from the divisible pool of taxes, remaining under the Union’s control.
Surcharge
- About: Article 271 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to impose a surcharge on certain taxes and duties for Union purposes.
- This surcharge is in addition to the existing taxes and duties, often referred to as a “tax on tax.”
- Applicability: Applied to individuals, companies, and other taxpayers in certain income brackets. Usually applicable when income exceeds Rs 50 lakh in a financial year.
- The rate varies based on income level and type of income.
- Purpose and Nature: It is progressive in nature (higher earners contribute more), it promotes social equity and addresses income disparity
- Increases total tax liability for high-income taxpayers.
- Cess vs. Surcharge: Both Cess and surcharge are credited to Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and are not shared with the states but differ in usage.
- Surcharge is spent like other taxes, while cess must be allocated separately and used only for its specific purpose.
The 13th and 14th Finance Commissions upheld the exclusion of surcharge from the divisible tax pool, but recommended reducing the Centre’s dependence on surcharge revenues.
How do Tax and Cess Differ in Purpose and Usage?
|
Aspect
|
Tax
|
Cess
|
|
Definition
|
Government levy on income, property, etc.
|
Additional levy on an existing tax or duty for a specific purpose
|
|
Revenue Use
|
Goes to Consolidated Fund, used generally
|
Credited to Consolidated Fund but used only for designated purpose
|
|
State Sharing
|
Shared with states
|
Generally, not shared with states
|
|
Examples
|
Income Tax, GST, Corporate Tax
|
Swachh Bharat Cess, Education Cess, Krishi Kalyan Cess
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a (2014)
A. tax imposed by the Central Government
B. tax imposed by the Central Government but collected by the State Government
C. tax imposed by the State Government but collected by the Central Government
D. tax imposed and collected by the State Government
Ans: (D)
Wildfires
16-08-2025
Source: TOI
Why in News?
Wildfires in Albania, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey have resulted in fatalities and forced thousands to evacuate the affected regions.

What are the Key Facts Regarding Wildfires?
- About: Wildfire is an uncontrolled fire in forests, grasslands, brushlands, or tundra, spread by wind and terrain, and sustained by fuel, oxygen, and heat.
- Classification:
- Surface Fire: Burns along the ground, consuming dry leaves, twigs, and grasses on the forest floor.
- Underground/Zombie Fire: Low-intensity fires burning organic matter beneath the surface, spreading slowly and often undetected, sometimes persisting for months.
- Canopy/Crown Fire: Spreads through the upper tree canopy, often intense and hard to control.
- Controlled Deliberate Fire: Planned burns by forest agencies to reduce fuel loads and support ecosystem health.
- Causes:
- Geography: Mediterranean climate regions are highly susceptible to wildfires, particularly during the hot, dry summer months, due to the combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and dry winds (E.g., Sirocco- hot wind that blows from the Sahara Desert to southern Europe and increases wildfire risk).
- Climate Change: Dry spells, erratic monsoons, unseasonal heat waves, and El Niño events dry vegetation and increase flammability.
- Human-Induced Factors: Slash-and-burn, agricultural expansion, infrastructure projects, tourism, and waste mismanagement trigger accidental and deliberate fires.
- Weak Fire Management & Technology: Inadequate surveillance, outdated response systems, lack of AI-based prediction, and poor weather-based forecasting delay control efforts.
- Biodiversity Loss & Flammable Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests, pine needles, bamboo groves, and monoculture plantations act as natural fuel, reducing native biodiversity.
- Deforestation & Habitat Fragmentation: Infrastructure, mining, unregulated grazing, and weak policy enforcement degrade forests, intensify human-wildlife conflict, and harm ecosystems.
- Impacts:
- Air Pollution & Climate Change: Wildfires release CO₂, PM2.5, Methane and other toxic gases, worsening air quality and contributing to global warming.
- Biodiversity & Habitat Loss: Forest destruction kills wildlife, threatens endangered species, and disrupts ecosystems.
- A study estimates that in 2020, wildfires in Brazil claimed the lives of nearly 17 million animals, including reptiles, birds, and primates, while causing severe biodiversity loss.
- Human Health Risk: Smoke inhalation leads to respiratory problems, eye irritation, heat-related injuries, and mental stress in affected populations.
- Economic Damage: Property destruction, firefighting costs, and agricultural losses strain economies.
- Soil & Water Degradation: Erosion and ash runoff pollute water sources, harming aquatic life and drinking water.
- Wildfires in India:
- According to the India State of Forest. Report (ISFR) 2021, more than 36% of the country’s forest cover was estimated to be prone to frequent forest fires. 2.81% of the country’s forest cover was extremely prone to fires, whereas 7.85% of forest cover is found to be very highly fire prone.
- Forest fire incidents have surged in mountain regions: Himachal Pradesh by 1,339%, Jammu & Kashmir by 2,822%, and Uttarakhand by 293% (ISFR 2023).
Common Wildfire Control Material & Method
- Pink Fire Retardant is a chemical mixture designed to slow or suppress wildfires.
- It mainly contains an ammonium phosphate-based slurry, with salts like ammonium polyphosphate and toxic metals such as chromium and cadmium.
- The Bambi Bucket is a special container hung under a helicopter, filled by dipping it into a water source like a river or pond, and emptied over a fire through a bottom valve.
- It is especially useful for tackling wildfires in hard-to-reach areas, and helicopters worldwide often use it to fight forest fires.
What Steps are Needed to Tackle Wildfires?
- Integrated Fire Management: Use prescribed burning, fuel load reduction, firebreaks, strict fire safety regulations, and public awareness to prevent uncontrolled fires.
- Community & Tribal Participation: Involve local communities, Van Panchayats, and tribal groups with training, livelihood incentives, and traditional conservation for early detection and response.
- Advanced Technology & Early Warning: Apply AI predictive models, satellite monitoring, drones, and real-time alerts for rapid containment.
- Ecosystem Restoration & Resilience: Support fire-resistant species, green firebreaks, climate-resilient forestry, wetland restoration, and sustainable agroforestry.
- Policy Enforcement & Eco-Sensitive Development: Enforce no-go zones for mining/infrastructure, use watershed management, sustainable tourism, and blockchain for transparent conservation funding.
|
Drishti Mains Question
Examine the factors contributing to the rising frequency and severity of wildfires, and propose strategies for their effective mitigation.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following: (2019)
- Carbon monoxide
- Methane
- Ozone
- Sulphur dioxide
Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (d)
Q. In the grasslands, trees do not replace the grasses as a part of an ecological succession because of (2013)
(a) insects and fungi
(b) limited sunlight and paucity of nutrients
(c) water limits and fire
(d) None of the above
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree? (2014)
State Health Regulatory Excellence Index
16-08-2025
Source: PIB
The Union Health Ministry has launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH).
- SHRESTH, developed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), is a virtual gap assessment tool for states to evaluate their current status and progress toward maturity certification, aiming to ensure drug safety, quality, and efficacy across all states and UTs.
- Key Features of SHRESTH:
- State Classification: States are categorized as Manufacturing States and Primarily Distribution States/UTs.
- Assessment Criteria: The SHRESTH Index evaluates states on aspects like human resources, lab testing capacity, licensing activities, surveillance, and responsiveness to public grievances.
- Monitoring and Accountability: States submit monthly data to the CDSCO, which compiles and scores the index, and shares the results with the states and UTs each month.
- Global Standards: SHRESTH aims to be in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level 3 (ML3), reinforcing India’s position as the “Pharmacy of the World.”
- WHO’s GBT assesses the regulatory maturity (on four levels (ML1–ML4)) of national systems for medicines, vaccines, blood products, and medical devices, ensuring high-quality, consistent regulation worldwide.
- India has achieved ML3 in 2024, which reflects a stable, well-functioning, and integrated regulatory system.
Income Tax Bill, 2025
16-08-2025
Source: IE
Both houses of the Parliament passed the Income Tax Bill, 2025, which seeks to simplify, rationalise, and shorten the existing Income Tax 1961 Act.
- The Bill defines virtual digital space as any digital environment including email, social media, online accounts, cloud servers, websites, and digital platforms.
- If retained, tax authorities could access or bypass passwords to investigate potential tax evasion or under-reported income, with companies potentially required to assist.
- It replaces the dual concepts of ‘assessment year’ and ‘previous year’ with a uniform ‘tax year’, defined as 1st April 1 to 31st March.
- The Bill removes the restriction limiting refunds to on-time filed returns, allowing claims even for belatedly filed returns.
- The Bill clarifies there will be no Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) remittances for education purposes financed by financial institutions.
- Individuals with no tax liability can seek a nil Tax Deduction at Source certificate in advance.
- The applicability of the Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) for Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) has been aligned with the existing provisions of the IT Act.
- AMT ensures that individuals benefiting from tax deductions and exemptions pay at least the minimum amount of tax.
Income Tax
- It is a direct tax on the income earned by individuals, companies, or other entities during a financial year. For individual taxpayers in India, it is levied according to progressive tax slabs.
- These slabs may vary under the new tax regime or with applicable rebates and deductions.
- According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes, India’s gross direct tax collections for 2025-26 stood at Rs 7.99 lakh crore, down 1.9% from Rs 8.14 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
Kaziranga Records High Diversity of Grassland Birds
16-07-2025
Source: TH
Kaziranga National Park, Assam best known for its one-horned rhinos, has now emerged as a biodiversity hotspot for grassland birds.
- First dedicated grassland bird survey conducted in Kaziranga recorded 43 species across its three wildlife divisions. Includes rare and threatened species like:
- Critically Endangered: Bengal florican
- Endangered: Finn’s weaver, Swamp grass babbler
- Vulnerable (6 species): Black-breasted parrotbill, Marsh babbler, Swamp francolin, Jerdon’s babbler, Slender-billed babbler, Bristled grassbird
- Finn’s weaver found to be breeding successfully, indicating healthy grassland ecosystems.
- Kaziranga’s 1,174 sq. km habitat supports rich birdlife, with grassland bird diversity comparable to Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- The study marks as a key step in avian conservation in Northeast India.
- Kaziranga National Park: Kaziranga derives its name from the Karbi word "Kajir-a-rang", meaning "village of Kajir", believed to be named after a woman ruler of the region.
- It was established as a Reserve Forest in 1908 to protect the Indian rhinoceros, it became a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950, National Park in 1974, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. And it was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 2007 due to high tiger density.
- It is known for the Big Five: Rhinoceros, Tiger, Elephant, Asiatic Wild Buffalo, and Eastern Swamp Deer. Nearly the entire population of Eastern Swamp Deer is found here.
- It is located along the Brahmaputra River, which brings rich nutrients but also causes habitat loss through erosion.

India Achieves 50% Non-Fossil Fuel Power Capacity
16-07-2025
Source: PIB
India’s non-fossil fuel power capacity has reached 242.78 GW out of 484.82 GW total installed capacity, 5 years ahead of its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Non-Fossil Fuels:
- Non-fossil fuels refer to energy sources that are not derived from fossilized organic matter such as coal, oil, or natural gas.
- As of June 2025, India’s total installed electricity capacity stands at 484.82 GW, with 50% coming from non-fossil fuel sources, which includes:
- Renewable energy: 184.62 GW (38.08%)
- Large hydropower: 49.38 GW (10.19%)
- Nuclear energy: 8.78 GW (1.81%)

Key Initiatives Driving the Growth of India’s Renewable Energy Capacity:
Deepfakes
16-07-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
Denmark has proposed a landmark copyright amendment to ban the sharing of deepfakes without consent, protecting individuals’ voices, faces, and likenesses.
- The proposed law treats realistic deepfakes as copyright violations, gives individuals control over their digital likeness for 50 years after death, and requires platforms to remove such content or face penalties.
What are Deepfakes?
- About: Deepfakes are synthetic media (videos, images, or audio) that are digitally altered using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make it look like someone said or did something they never actually did. They blur the line between reality and manipulation.
- Technology Used: Deepfakes are powered by deep learning, a subset of machine learning, which itself is a subset of AI.
- They're created using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), where two neural networks (a generator and a discriminator) work together to create and refine fake content.
- GANs use real data to recreate faces, voices, or movements. A generator makes fake content, and a discriminator tries to detect it. The generator improves until it can fool the discriminator,
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) is used for cloning voices. Lip-syncing techniques align deepfake audio with video.
- Common Types:
- Face swaps: Replace a person’s face in a video with another’s.
- Voice clones: Imitate someone’s voice to say anything.
- Source Video Manipulation: Make someone appear to do or say things they never did.
- Detection:
- Clues: unnatural blinking, facial distortions, mismatched audio, lighting glitches.
- Tools: Adobe, Microsoft, Sensity AI, and others offer deepfake detection software.
- Social media platforms are beginning to flag or remove malicious deepfakes.
How has India Dealt with Deepfakes?
- India doesn’t have a dedicated law for deepfakes, but several existing laws offer partial protection.
- Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”): Section 66D of IT Act, targets impersonation and cheating via digital means.
- Further, Sections 67, 67A, and 67B of the IT Act can be used to prosecute individuals for publishing or transmitting deepfakes that are obscene or contain any sexually explicit acts.
- IT Rules, 2021: Require platforms to remove impersonation or morphed content when alerted quickly or lose their safe harbour’ protection (a provision that protects social media companies from regulatory liability for third-party content shared by users on their platforms).
- Copyright Act, 1957: The Copyright Act, 1957 can be applied if deepfakes use copyrighted images or videos without permission. It bars the unauthorised use of any content over which someone holds exclusive rights.
- Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): Issued advisories on deepfake threats and measures that need to be followed to stay protected against.
- Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C): Assists law enforcement agencies in effectively tackling cybercrimes, including deepfakes.
- Judicial Interventions:
- Anil Kapoor’s Case (2023): Delhi High Court (HC) granted an ex-parte, omnibus injunction restraining from using Anil Kapoor’s name, image, or traits (like dialogue phrases) through AI or morphing for commercial gain.
- The court held that his personality rights (including name, likeness, and image) deserve protection not just for his own sake, but also for the dignity of his family and friends.
- Mr.Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (Rajnikanth) vs M/S.Varsha Productions (2015): The Madras High Court granted an injunction restraining the use of Rajnikanth’s name, image, caricature, and dialogue style in the film Main Hoon Rajnikanth, recognizing his personality rights as a celebrity.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)
- Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
- Create meaningful short stories and songs
- Disease diagnosis
- Text-to-Speech Conversion
- Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b)
Boko Haram
16-06-2025
Source: TOI
Nigeria is witnessing a renewed insurgency led by Boko Haram, threatening its national security.
Boko Haram:
- Boko Haram is an Islamic sectarian movement that emerged in northeastern Nigeria in 2002, founded by Mohammed Yusuf.
- They mainly inhabit areas in the northern states of Nigeria, specifically Yobe, Kano, Bauchi, Borno and Kaduna.
- Boko Haram meaning ‘Western education is forbidden’ opposes Western-style education and secular governance and aims to establish an Islamic state.
- It emerged in Nigeria in the mid-1990s as a moderate Islamic group, influenced by post-Biafran War grievances (1967–70), which saw over 2 million deaths amid government suppression backed by Western powers and oil interests.
- They operate across borders in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, and remain one of the deadliest terrorist groups in Africa despite efforts to suppress it.
Nigeria:
- Nigeria (also known as Giant of Africa) is a country in West Africa shares borders with Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, and the Gulf of Guinea.
- It has the largest population in Africa and the 6th largest in the world, in addition to being the 4th largest economy in Africa.
- It gained independence from Britain in 1960, with Abuja as its capital.
- The country features the Cameroonian Highlands and is rich in natural resources, especially petroleum and natural gas.

GFW 2024 Report on Indian Forests
16-06-2025
Source: BS
The Global Forest Watch (GFW), an open-source forest monitoring platform developed by the US-based research organisation World Resources Institute (WRI), has recently released data highlighting India’s deforestation and forest degradation trends from 2001 to 2024.
Key Findings of the WRI Report on India’s Forests:
- Extent of Forest & Tree Cover Changes (2001–2024):
- Between 2001 and 2024, India lost 2.31 million hectares of tree cover, a 7.1% decline since 2000, causing 1.29 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions.
- In 2024 alone, India lost 150,000 hectares of natural forest, resulting in approximately 68 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
- Primary forest loss increased from 17,700 hectares in 2023 to 18,200 hectares in 2024.
- Between 2002 and 2024, 348,000 hectares (5.4%) of humid primary forests (mature tropical forests not recently cleared) were lost, accounting for 15% of total tree cover loss.
- Tree cover loss due to fires amounted to 36,200 hectares from 2001 to 2024, peaking at 2,770 hectares in 2008.
- Despite losses, India gained 1.78 million hectares of tree cover between 2000 and 2020, contributing 1.4% to global net gains (Top 3 Gainers: Russia, Canada, US).
- Key Drivers of Deforestation:
- Northeastern states lead in forest loss due to shifting cultivation, logging, and infrastructure. Central India suffers from mining, while the Western Ghats face road, tourism, and plantation pressures.
- Globally, India ranked second in deforestation (2015–2020), losing 668,000 ha/year (FAO).
Sighting of Eurasian Otter in Kashmir
16-06-2025
Source: IE
Eurasian Otter or Common Otter (locally known as Vuder in Kashmir) has been sighted in Kashmir after 25-30 years. It has been historically found in Dachigam, Dal Lake tributaries, Rambiara stream, and Lidder river (in Pahalgam).
Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
- About: It is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal native to Eurasia.
- It is a keystone species in river ecosystems as its presence is an indicator of clean water and healthy aquatic biodiversity.
- Other species in India include smooth-coated Otter (throughout India), and Small-clawed Otter (Himalayas and southern India).
- Taxonomy: It belongs to the genus Lutra, family Lutrinae, order Carnivora.
- Diet: Mainly feeds on fish, crustaceans, and amphibians and occasionally eats reptiles, birds, eggs, insects, and worms.
- Habitat & Behaviour:
- Found in the Himalayas, northeast India, and Western Ghats.
- It prefers clean freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, streams, and wetland and is also found in coastal areas.
- It is mostly active at night, builds dens (holts) near water, and lives mostly solitary, though mothers are sometimes seen with their cubs.
- Conservation Status:

Nobel Prize in Economics 2025
15-10-2025
Source: ET
Why in News?
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was jointly awarded to Joel Mokyr (Netherlands), Philippe Aghion(Paris), and Peter Howitt(Canada) for explaining innovation-driven economic growth and how societies must counter stagnation to sustain development.

What are the Key Highlights of the Nobel Prize in Economics 2025?
- Laureates and Core Contribution:
- Joel Mokyr received one-half of the prize for identifying prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress.
- Mokyr used historical data to reveal why sustained technological innovation is vital for continuous economic growth.
- Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt shared the other half of the theory of sustained growth via creative destruction.
- Aghion and Howitt developed a mathematical model describing "creative destruction," where new products and technologies replace outdated ones, propelling economic expansion.
- Significance of the Research:
- The work explains why the past two centuries experienced consistent global economic growth, improving living standards and well-being worldwide.
- It disrupts the assumption that economic growth is automatic, emphasizing the fragility of progress and the necessity to maintain innovation-driven mechanisms.
- Implications and Policy Insights:
- Their research highlights the importance for regions like Europe to integrate competition with proactive industrial policy, learning from examples like the US and China.
- The theory underscores the need for economies to encourage continuous innovation and adaptation for sustained prosperity.
Did you Know?
- Amartya Sen (1998): Awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his work on welfare economics, poverty, and human development, emphasizing that economic growth alone is insufficient, and development must focus on capabilities, rights, and freedoms.
- Abhijit Banerjee (2019): Shared the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for their pioneering work on experimental approaches to alleviating global poverty, introducing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate social and economic interventions.
- Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: In 1968, Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, established the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel on its 300th anniversary, funded through a donation to the Nobel Foundation.
- Awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, it follows the same principles as the original Nobel Prizes and carries equal monetary value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.Who were the recipients of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences ?
Joel Mokyr; Philippe Aghion & Peter Howitt.
2. What are the core contributions of the 2025 Nobel-winning research in economics?
Innovation-driven economic growth, explains the Scientific-Technical Synergy behind Sustained Growth and the theory of creative destruction.
3. How does the research provide policy insights for economic growth?
Highlights need for competition, industrial policy, and continuous innovation.
Great Nicobar Island Project
15-09-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project has drawn attention as one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure plans in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Despite environmental concerns, the project is crucial for turning Great Nicobar into a global maritime hub while considering ecology and tribal welfare.
What is the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project?
- About: The GNI Project, conceived by NITI Aayog and launched in 2021, aims to build an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a greenfield international airport, a township, and a gas–solar power plant.
- Strategic Significance:
- Transshipment Hub: The ICTT reduces India’s reliance on foreign ports like Singapore and Colombo, integrating India into global supply chains.
- Greenfield Airport: Enhances civilian connectivity, tourism, and dual-use defence capability.
- Strategic Positioning Advantage: Nicobar’s location near the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits allows India to monitor vital sea lanes for global trade and energy supply.
- Great Nicobar’s location gives India proximity to Sabang (Indonesia), Coco Island (Myanmar), and the proposed Kra Canal (Thailand), underscoring its central role in Indo-Pacific sea routes.
- Great Nicobar lies almost equidistant from Colombo, Port Klang, and Singapore, placing India at the centre of regional sea trade.
- Maritime Security: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands serve as India’s first line of maritime defence and share sea boundaries with Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, giving India a vast exclusive economic zone and continental shelf under United Nations Conference on the Laws of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS).
- GNI strengthens India’s naval reach in the Indo-Pacific, countering piracy, trafficking, terrorism, and great-power rivalries.
- Positions India as a proactive maritime power amidst rising presence of China and other navies in the IOR.
- Policy Alignment: Supports Act East Policy (2014) and the QUAD’s Indo-Pacific strategy, strengthening India’s role in regional security.

- Tribal Safeguards: Large-scale development in GNI is permitted only after consultations with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Directorate of Tribal Welfare and Andaman Adim Janjati VikasSamiti (AAJVS), as mandated by the Jarawa Policy (2004) and Shompen Policy (2015).
- Environmental Safeguards: The Project incorporates strict environmental safeguards, following the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and based on detailed EIAs and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
- To protect wildlife, 8 corridors have been planned to ensure the safe movement of arboreal animals, snakes, crabs, and crocodiles, minimizing ecological disruption during development.
- To compensate for tree felling caused by the GNI project, compensatory afforestation is planned in Haryana, as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands already have over 75% forest cover.

Great Nicobar Island
- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise 836 islands, divided by the Ten Degree Channel into the Andamans (north) and Nicobars (south).
- Great Nicobar, the largest Nicobar island (910 sq km of rainforest). It hosts Indira Point, India’s southernmost tip, just 90 nautical miles from Sumatra (Indonesia).
- Great Nicobar has two national parks, a biosphere reserve, small populations of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribal peoples, and a few thousand non-tribal settlers.
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve was included in the list of Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program of UNESCO in 2013.
Conclusion
The Great Nicobar Island Project is not merely an infrastructure plan but a strategic-economic multiplier. It secures India’s maritime future, reduces logistical dependence on foreign ports, and unlocks regional growth, thereby positioning India as a major player in the Indo-Pacific.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the role of the Great Nicobar Island Project in India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and its alignment with the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
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Great Nicobar Project | Andaman & Nicobar | Environmental Concern | Indepth | Drishti IAS English
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)
- The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
- Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
- The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 1 and 3
Ans: (a)
Q. Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’? (2014)
(a) Andaman and Nicobar
(b) Nicobar and Sumatra
(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep
(d) Sumatra and Java
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before the project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal- fired thermal plants located at Pitheads.(2023)
Software Technology Parks of India
15-07-2025
Source: TH
The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is expanding beyond traditional metro hubs to promote inclusive IT growth, focusing on Tier 2 and 3 cities.
- It aims to encourage entrepreneurship in software, business process management, and product innovation to build India’s largest tech startup ecosystem under the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019.
- STPI: Established in 1991, the STPI is an autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- It was set up under the then Department of Electronics (now Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology) to implement the Software Technology Park (STP) and Electronics Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) schemes.
- It provides high-speed data communication, incubation facilities, and supports start-ups across India through initiatives like Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) and the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS).
- Achievements: Currently operating 67 centres, with 59 in non-metro locations, STPI created 17 lakh sq. ft. of incubation space to support startups and MSMEs in smaller towns.
- STPI-registered units contributed USD 110 billion to India’s total software exports of over USD 200 billion in FY 2024–25. About USD 90 billion came from special economic zones-based companies.
- STPI has created 24 CoEs nationwide to encourage a start-up culture in the product space.
- Since 2023, STPI has supported 1,500 startups, 800 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), and over 2,000 product innovations.
Astra Missile
15-07-2025
Source: HT
The DRDO and Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully test-fired the indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) 'Astra' with an indigenously developed Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker from a Su-30 Mk-I fighter aircraft off the coast of Odisha.
BVRAAM Astra:
- About: Astra is India’s first indigenous BVRAAM, designed to target enemy aircraft beyond line-of-sight.
- It is equipped with a DRDO-developed indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker, which enables the missile to detect, track, and lock onto targets using radar, ensuring high accuracy in the terminal phase.
- Key Features:
- Astra is India’s first indigenous BVRAAM, capable of engaging supersonic, manoeuvrable targets beyond 100 km and up to 20 km altitude.
- Uses inertial navigation, mid-course data link updates, and active radar homing, with a smokeless solid-fuel engine for enhanced stealth.
- Equipped with a DRDO-developed active RF seeker, enabling fire-and-forget and buddy launch mode, where one aircraft launches and another guides.
Indigenous Mounted Gun System (MGS):
- DRDO’s Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) has developed a fully indigenous 155mm/52 calibre MGS, which can be deployed in just 80 seconds.
- MGS is a type of mobile artillery weapon where a large-calibre gun (like a 155mm howitzer) is mounted on a wheeled or tracked vehicle instead of being towed separately.
Su-30MKI:
- The Su-30MKI is a twin-engine multirole fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built by HAL for the IAF.
- Inducted in 2002, it performs air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare, and maritime strike roles, and is a key asset in India’s combat fleet.

Catastrophe Bonds for Natural Disasters
15-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
India’s limited disaster insurance coverage increases financial vulnerability during natural disasters. In light of rising climate-induced disasters, Catastrophe Bonds (Cat Bonds) present a strategic option for enhancing disaster risk financing and resilience.
Bonds
- Bonds are debt instruments where an investor lends money to a government, corporation, or other entity for a fixed period.
- In return, the investor receives regular interest payments (called coupons) and gets back the principal amount at the end of the bond’s term (maturity).
What are Catastrophe Bonds?
- About: Catastrophe Bonds are insurance-linked securities that transfer the financial risk of natural disasters (earthquakes, cyclones, or floods) from governments or insurers to private investors through global financial markets.
- These hybrid instruments combine insurance and bond features, raising quick funds for post-disaster relief.
- Investors earn high returns for bearing the risk but may lose their investment if a major disaster occurs.
- Primarily purchased by institutional investors like pension funds and hedge funds due to their complexity and high investment thresholds.
- Cat-bonds are now increasingly attracting retail investors, especially after becoming the best-performing hedge fund strategy in 2023.

- Key Features:
- High Returns: Investors are compensated with higher returns than regular government or corporate bonds, due to the risk of losing the principal.
- Diversification: Cat bond risks are not correlated with financial market movements, offering diversification.
- Quick Capital Mobilization: Enables faster payouts post-disaster, reducing dependence on delayed aid or budget reallocation.
- Multi-Year Coverage: Can provide multi-year disaster protection for governments.
- Fiscal Buffer: Reduces pressure on central and state government finances after disasters.
- Investor Vigilance: Encourages improved disaster preparedness and investment in risk mitigation technologies.
- Global Trends: Since their inception in the late 1990s, over USD 180 billion in Cat Bonds have been issued globally, with around USD 50 billion currently active.
What is the Significance of Catastrophe Bonds for India?
- India, being highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as cyclones, floods, and earthquakes, faces rising challenges in disaster risk financing as insurers raise premiums or exit the market.
- Since FY 2021-22, the government has been allocating USD 1.8 billion annually for disaster mitigation, making India well-positioned to explore Cat Bonds potentially in partnership with intermediaries like the World Bank or Asian Development Bank (ADB).
- India can lead a South Asian Cat Bond initiative to cover transboundary disaster risks like earthquakes in Nepal, Bhutan, and India, or cyclones impacting India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
- A regional approach would spread risk, reduce premium costs, and enhance financial resilience against natural disasters across participating countries.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q.1 In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following? (2020)
- Housing loans owed by households
- Amounts outstanding on credit cards
- Treasury bills
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Q.2 Consider the following statements: (2018)
- The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
- Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
- Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Q.3 In the context of Indian economy, ‘Open Market Operations’ refers to (2013)
(a) borrowing by scheduled banks from the RBI
(b) lending by commercial banks to industry and trade
(c) purchase and sale of government securities by the RBI
(d) None of the above
Ans: (c)
NGT Flags Severe Chromium Contamination in Drinking Water
14-11-2025
Source: TH
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised serious concerns over the lack of adequate safe drinking water in chromium-contaminated regions of Uttar Pradesh, directing the State government to ensure immediate and sufficient water supply.
- Chromium (Cr) is a potentially toxic metal occurring in water and groundwater as a result of natural and anthropogenic sources.
- Hexavalent form Cr(VI) is highly toxic, its exposure can cause severe health problems, including skin disorders, respiratory issues, and cancer.
- However, trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) is considered essential in trace amounts for the normal nutrition of humans and animals.
- Sources of Chromium Contamination in Water Bodies: Chromium contamination enters water bodies mainly through industrial effluents, mining waste, urban runoff, polluted irrigation, improper disposal, and accidental spills.
- Natural leaching from chromium-rich rocks also adds to groundwater pollution.
- Regulation: As per Indian standard (IS) 10500 for drinking water, the maximum permissible concentration of Cr(VI) in drinking water is 50 microgram per litre.
- Remedy for Chromium Pollution: Methods like adsorption (attachment of pollutants to surfaces), biosorption (use of biological materials to absorb pollutants), and ion exchange (replacing harmful ions with less toxic ones) are commonly used, though they vary in cost and efficiency.
- Advanced techniques, such as sunlight-driven photocatalysis with TiO2 nanoparticles, offer high efficiency in reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III).

Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026
14-11-2025
For Prelims: Climate Risk Index, UNFCCC, Glacial Lake Outbursts, Ocean Acidification, Himalayan Glaciers, Arsenic Contamination, Black Carbon, Western Ghats, Mangroves, Coral Reefs, Cyclone, National Water Policy 2012, Traditional Water Systems, Green Hydrogen, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari
For Mains: Key Findings of the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026 Report. global impact of Extreme Weather, Climate Change’s Threats to India, and Necessary Mitigation Measures
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Germanwatch Climate Risk Index 2026 report, presented at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ranks India as the 9th most affected country by extreme weather events (EWEs) over the past three decades (1995-2024).
Climate Risk Index
- The Climate Risk Index, published annually by the environmental think tank Germanwatch since 2006, tracks the human and economic impacts of extreme weather events worldwide.
- Indicators: The index uses six key indicators, including fatalities, economic losses, and the number of people affected by climate-related disasters.
- Data for the index is sourced from reputable organizations like the EM-DAT International Disaster Database, World Bank, and IMF.
What are the Key Findings of the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026 Report?
- Globally Most Affected Countries: The top 10 CRI countries are all in the Global South, highlighting unequal climate vulnerability.
- High-risk countries like Dominica, Myanmar, Honduras, and Libya have faced extreme events, e.g., Cyclone Nargis (2008) in Myanmar killed around 1,40,000 people.
- Between 1995–2024, 9,700 extreme weather events worldwide caused over 832,000 deaths and USD 4.5 trillion in economic losses.

- India’s Vulnerability: India's position in the CRI 2026 emphasizes its growing vulnerability to climate-related disasters. In 2024, India ranked 15th among countries most affected by climate change.
- Over three decades, 430 extreme weather events (EWEs) caused USD 170 billion losses, affected 1 billion people, led to 80,000+ deaths, placing India under “continuous threats” with Philippines, Nicaragua, and Haiti.
- India ranked 3rd globally in 2024 for the number of people affected by extreme weather, after Bangladesh and the Philippines.
- Specific EWEs: In 2024, floods were the deadliest globally (~50 million affected), followed by heatwaves (~33 million) and droughts (~29 million); India’s monsoon adversely affected 8 million people.

- Long-Term Vulnerability: Repeated disasters cause accumulating losses, keeping India’s 30-year CRI ranking high, as continuous exposure hinders recovery and raises long-term socio-economic risk.
What are the Impacts of Climate Change on India?
- Water Crisis:
- Melting Glaciers: Rising temperatures are shrinking Himalayan glaciers, threatening river flows of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus.
- Depleting Groundwater: Groundwater use rose from ~10–20 km³ to 240–260 km³ over 50 years; Gangetic aquifers are falling ~4 cm/year, making many perennial rivers seasonal.
- Water Quality Degradation: Groundwater pumping brings arsenic contamination, ranking India 120th of 122 countries on the global water quality index.
- Disruption in Mountain Ecosystems:
- Increased Disasters: Events like GLOFs (e.g., 2023 Sikkim disaster), cloudbursts, and forest fires are becoming more frequent.
- Accelerated Melting: Black carbon from vehicles and fossil fuel use, especially along the Char Dham route, speeds up Himalayan ice melt.
- Threat to Biodiversity: The Himalayas, one of India’s four biodiversity hotspots (with the Western Ghats, Sundaland, and Indo-Burma), face severe ecological stress.
- Threat to Coastal Areas:
- Rising Sea Levels: Global seas are rising 3.6 mm/year, with Mumbai seeing a 4.44 cm rise (1987–2021); projections show a 0.4–0.8 m rise by 2100, endangering coastal cities.
- Salinisation: Seawater intrusion is damaging farmland and freshwater, affecting over 250 million coastal residents.
- Loss of Natural Defenses: Mangroves and coral reefs, vital cyclone and erosion buffers, are increasingly at risk.
- Socio-Economic Costs:
- Economic Losses: The World Bank warns the climate crisis could cut India’s GDP by 6.4–10% by 2100 and push 50 million into poverty.
- Agricultural Distress: Erratic weather and water scarcity are lowering farm productivity and threatening food security.
- Public Health Risks: The urban heat-island effect heightens heat stress and health risks in densely populated slums.
What Measures should India Take to Address the Impacts of Climate Change?
- Climate Change Mitigation: Drastically cut emissions to limit warming to 1.5°C and extreme weather, support National Adaptation Plans, and secure USD 300 billion by 2035 for climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Securing Water Resources: India must renew its National Water Policy 2012 for sustainable aquifer management and climate-resilient farming using drip irrigation and zero-tillage, while reviving traditional water systems and scaling up artificial recharge through pits, shafts, and trenches.
- Build Coastal Resilience: Restore mangrove forests and coral reefs as natural barriers. Develop early-warning systems for cyclones and storm surges, and create social safety nets for affected communities.
- Decarbonize Economy: Ramp up solar and wind capacity to exceed 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power by 2030, while promoting green hydrogen and battery storage.
- Promote sustainable urbanization with green buildings, urban greenery, and permeable surfaces, while enforcing eco-friendly land-use policies to curb deforestation and ensure sustainability.
- Governance and Social Measures: Mainstream climate adaptation in all development planning, promote community-led resource management through participatory models like Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, and boost green R&D in technologies, carbon capture, and resilient crops.
Conclusion
The CRI 2026 underscores India’s high vulnerability to extreme weather events and long-term climate risks, affecting water, ecosystems, coasts, and socio-economic stability. Urgent measures in adaptation, water management, coastal resilience, decarbonization, and sustainable governance are essential to mitigate impacts, protect livelihoods, and ensure climate-resilient development.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the threats posed by global warming to India's Himalayan and coastal ecosystems. Suggest sustainable measures for building resilience in these regions.
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the projected sea-level rise impacts for India?
Global sea level rose ~3.6 mm/yr (last decade); projections of 0.4–0.8 m by 2100 endanger coastal cities (Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata) and ~250 million residents within 50 km of the coast.
2. What is the scale of India’s groundwater depletion?
Groundwater use rose from ~10–20 km³ to 240–260 km³ over 50 years; Gangetic aquifers are falling ~4 cm/year, making many perennial rivers seasonal.
3. According to the World Bank, how much could climate change reduce India’s GDP by 2100?
The World Bank estimates climate impacts could cut India’s GDP by 6.4–10% and push 50 million people into poverty by 2100.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (2019)
- Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
- Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
- Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Q “Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by (2018)
(a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(b) The UNEP Secretariat
(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
(d) The World Meteorological Organisation
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (2017)
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FRA) Act, 2001
14-11-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India marked the Silver Jubilee of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FRA) Act, 2001 and the 21st Foundation Day of PPV&FRA with the Plant Genome Saviour Awards Ceremony in New Delhi.
- The award honours individuals who conserve and preserve the genetic diversity of economically important plants and their wild relatives.
What is the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FRA) Act, 2001?
- About: The PPV&FR Act, 2001 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, establishes a sui generis system for protecting plant varieties.
- The Act provides legal recognition to both commercial plant breeders and farmers, promoting conservation and improvement of plant genetic resources.
- It also aligns with India's TRIPS obligations and the International Union for Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV Convention) addressing the country's agricultural needs.
- Rights under the Act:
- Breeders’ Rights: Breeders get exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import, or export protected varieties. They may appoint agents or licensees and can seek legal action for infringement.
- Researchers’ Rights: Researchers may use any registered variety for experiments or to develop new varieties but repeated use needs prior permission of the registered breeder.
- Farmers’ Rights: Under the act, a farmer who has evolved or developed a new variety is entitled to register it and receive protection in the same manner as a breeder.
- A farmer can continue to save, use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share, or sell his farm produce, including seed, even if the variety is protected under the PPV&FR Act, but he cannot sell it as branded seed.
- Implementing Authority: Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) is the primary body responsible for the implementation of the Act.
- Significance: The act promotes agricultural innovation while ensuring seed sovereignty for farmers.
- It protects traditional knowledge and rewards community conservation efforts.
- It supports both public and private sector plant breeding institutions and enhances India's compliance with global IPR norms without compromising food and livelihood security.
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA)
- About: The PPV&FRA was formally set up on 11 November 2005 is a statutory body established under the PPV&FRA, 2001, under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. It is headquartered in New Delhi.
- Composition: The Authority is led by a Chairperson and has 15 members. The Registrar General serves as the ex-officio Member Secretary.
- Objectives: The PPV&FRA provides breeders’ rights, rewards farmers for conserving traditional varieties, protects farmers’ rights to use and share farm-saved seed, supports research and innovation.
- It maintains the National Register of Plant Varieties, helping preserve biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the PPV&FRA Act, 2001?
The PPV&FRA Act, 2001 is a sui generis law that provides intellectual property protection to plant breeders while formally recognising farmers’ rights to save, use, exchange and sell farm-saved seed and register farmer-developed varieties.
2. Who implements the PPV&FRA and what is its function?
The Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), headquartered in New Delhi, implements the Act, maintains the National Register of Plant Varieties and adjudicates rights, benefit-sharing and registrations.
3. What rights does a breeder get under the Act?
Registered breeders obtain exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export the protected variety and can license or take legal action against infringement.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2019)
- According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India.
- In India, there is no Intellectual Property Appellate Board.
- Plant varieties are not eligible to be patented in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Discovery of Largest and Most Distant Black Hole Flare
14-11-2025
Source: IE
Astronomers have detected the largest and most distant flare from a black hole, originating from the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) J2245+3743, located 10 billion light-years away from Earth.
- Brightest Flare: First observed in 2018, this black hole is responsible for the brightest flare ever recorded, linked to a tidal disruption event (TDE) caused by the consumption of a star.
- A TDE is a cataclysmic phenomenon where a star is torn apart by the intense gravitational forces of a supermassive black hole, releasing an intense flash of radiation.
- Flare Characteristics: The flare intensified by 40 times over several months, peaking at 30 times the brightness of any previous black hole flare and releasing energy equivalent to 10 trillion suns.
- Star Consumption: In 2023, data from the Keck Observatory confirmed the flare’s intense energy and ruled out the possibility of a supernova, showing that the star being consumed is 30 times the mass of the Sun, much larger than those in previous TDEs.
- Time Dilation Effect: The black hole's immense gravity causes cosmological time dilation, stretching the light and allowing researchers to observe the event at a slower pace, offering valuable insights into black hole dynamics.
- Solar Flare: A solar flare is a powerful explosion on the Sun caused by the sudden release of energy stored in twisted magnetic fields, often above sunspots, appearing as bright areas on the Sun.
- These flares can last from minutes to hours, heating materials to millions of degrees and emitting a burst of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves, x-rays, and gamma rays.

Information Technology(IT) Act, 2000
14-10-2025
Source: PIB
The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) organised a national workshop to streamline the issuance of notices under Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, ensuring legal clarity and constitutional balance in regulating content on digital platforms.
IT Act, 2000
- About: The Information Technology Act, 2000, is the primary legislation in India governing cyber activities, including electronic commerce, digital signatures, and cybercrimes.
- Key Features:
- Legitimizes electronic records and digital signatures.
- Establishes CERT-In as a nodal agency for cybersecurity.
- Defines responsibilities of intermediaries (e.g., social media platforms).
- Enables formation of the Appellate Tribunal for dispute resolution.
- Key Provisions:
- Section 69A: Empowers the government to block public access to any information through any computer resource if it threatens national security, public order, or relations with foreign states.
- Section 79: Grants safe harbour protection to intermediaries, shielding them from liability for user-generated content.
- Section 79(3)(b): Removes safe harbour protection if an intermediary fails to block/remove unlawful content upon government notification.
- Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021: Specifies the due diligence to be observed by intermediaries, including the requirement to remove or disable access to unlawful information upon receiving actual knowledge.
- Section 66A: The Supreme Court, in the landmark case Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India(2015), struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000. The Court held the provision "vague" and "unconstitutional", stating it imposed arbitrary restrictions on freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a).
- Importance:
- These provisions are central to balancing state regulation, user rights, and platform responsibilities in India’s digital ecosystem.
Natural Farming in India
14-10-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a major shift as thousands of farmers move away from chemical-based agriculture toward natural farming. This transition reflects India’s wider push for sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture.
What is Natural Farming?
- Definition: As per NITI Aayog, Natural Farming is “a chemical-free traditional farming method” rooted in agroecological principles integrating crops, trees, livestock, and functional biodiversity.
- It follows the philosophy of working with nature, emphasizing minimal human intervention (often referred to as “do-nothing farming”) and the complete avoidance of synthetic chemicals.
- Key Features and Principles:
- No External Chemical Inputs: Completely avoids chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and growth regulators.
- On-farm Input Generation: It relies on agricultural inputs such as Neemastra, Agniastra, Jeevamrit, and Beejamrit, which are locally prepared on farms using materials like cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, gram flour, and soil.
- Livestock Integration: Native cow breeds are central for sourcing inputs and maintaining the nutrient cycle.
- Diversified Cropping System: Encourages intercropping, mixed cropping, agroforestry, and crop rotation.
- Soil Health and Biodiversity: Emphasizes mulching, cover cropping, and maintaining microbial activity for fertile and living soil.
- Water efficiency: Uses minimal irrigation and improves soil moisture retention naturally.
- Scientific and Environmental Benefits: Enhances soil organic carbon and soil fertility, reducing the need for synthetic inputs.
- Promotes biodiversity, including beneficial insects, pollinators, and soil organisms.
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding urea and other nitrogenous fertilizers.
- Improves climate resilience of farms, especially under drought and erratic rainfall conditions.

How is Natural Farming Benefiting Farmers and Rural Livelihoods in India?
- Reduced Cost of Cultivation: Natural farming is not just an ecological alternative but also offers tangible socio-economic benefits to Indian farmers. The Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) is the most popular model in India.
- The cost of inputs under natural farming is 50–60% lower than conventional chemical farming.
- Farmers significantly save on input costs since bio-inputs are prepared on-farm using locally available resources.
- Improved Farmer Incomes: Though initial yields may be stable or slightly reduced, long-term productivity is sustained or increased due to improved soil health.
- Income stability is achieved through intercropping, value-added products, and reduced crop failure risk.
- Employment Generation: Encourages local entrepreneurship in bio-input production, seed banks, composting, and local market chains. Promotes rural youth participation by making agriculture more knowledge-based and sustainable.
- Health and Food Security: Natural produce is free from harmful pesticide residues, ensuring better nutrition and food safety.
- Enhances nutritional density of food, addressing concerns of hidden hunger and health disorders due to chemicals.
- Women Empowerment: Involves women in preparation of bio-inputs, composting, kitchen gardening, and farmer producer groups.
What are India’s Initiatives for Natural Farming?
- National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, promoting chemical-free, ecosystem-based natural farming rooted in traditional knowledge.

- Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP): As of March 2025 it supports 28 lakh farmers practicing natural farming on 9.4 lakh hectares.
- State-Level Initiatives:
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What are the Key Challenges in Mainstreaming Natural Farming Across India?
- Knowledge and Skill Gaps: Natural farming is knowledge-intensive and site-specific, requiring farmers to understand ecological interactions and adopt new practices.
- Many farmers, especially in remote areas, lack practical understanding and require continuous handholding by Krishi Sakhis.
- Behavioural Resistance: Farmers accustomed to high-input, chemical-intensive practices often hesitate to shift to low-input, labour-intensive natural farming.
- State-Level Variability: Successful models exist in Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, etc., but soil, climate, and social conditions vary, making uniform replication challenging.
- Policy Convergence Complexity: Coordinating NMNF with other central/state schemes (livestock, rural development, AYUSH, food processing) and local institutions is administratively challenging.
- Market Linkages and Premium Pricing: Establishing reliable markets for chemical-free produce remains a challenge.
- Farmers may hesitate to switch if premium pricing and assured minimum support price (MSP) are not consistently available.
- Input Availability and Infrastructure: Ensuring timely availability of bio-inputs across all regions, especially remote areas, requires robust Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) and supply chains.
What Measures can be Adopted to Scale Natural Farming in India?
- Decentralized Farmer Clusters: Form contiguous natural farming clusters to enable peer learning, reduce input costs, and facilitate community-level extension support.
- Strengthen Knowledge Networks: Deploy Krishi Sakhis, Community Resource Persons, and KVKs to provide hands-on training in NF techniques, bio-input preparation, pest management, and multi-cropping.
- Bio-input Accessibility: Establish local Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) and promote on-farm production of organic inputs to reduce dependency on external chemical inputs.
- Market Integration and Certification: Develop PGS/organic certification, promote a national brand for NF produce, and strengthen linkages with Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and local markets to ensure fair pricing.
- Agro-ecology Based Research: Tailor region-specific NF cropping systems and soil-moisture management practices to enhance resilience in varied agro-climatic zones.
- Digital Monitoring and Knowledge Sharing: Use geo-tagged tracking, online portals, and mobile advisory services to monitor adoption, yields, and ecological outcomes while providing timely guidance.
Conclusion
Natural farming promotes nutrient-rich, chemical-free food while reducing input costs for farmers. It aligns with India’s broader sustainability goals, supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by improving food security, and SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) by encouraging eco-friendly agricultural practices.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the role of natural farming in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving farmer livelihoods in India.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Natural Farming?
Natural Farming is a chemical-free, traditional farming system integrating crops, livestock, and biodiversity to enhance soil health and ecological balance.
2. What is the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)?
NMNF is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2024 to promote chemical-free, ecosystem-based natural farming, covering 7.5 lakh hectares and supporting 1 crore farmers.
3. Which bio-inputs are commonly used in Natural Farming?
Locally prepared inputs like Beejamrut, Jeevamrit, Neemastra, and Agniastra are used, made from cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, gram flour, and soil.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? (2021)
- Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.
- Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.
- Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.
- Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 4 only
(d) 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q. Consider the following agricultural practices: (2012)
- Contour bunding
- Relay cropping
- Zero tillage
In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of them
Ans: (b)
Safe and Trusted AI Ecosystem in India
14-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), under its IndiaAI Mission, has selected five pioneering projects under the Safe & Trusted AI pillar, targeting deepfake detection, bias mitigation, and security evaluation.
- IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division under MeitY, is the implementation agency for the IndiaAI Mission. It aims to democratize AI benefits across all strata of society, and ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI.
What are the Key Projects under IndiaAI’s Safe & Trusted AI Pillar?
- Deepfake Detection:
- Saakshya (IIT Jodhpur & IIT Madras): Real-time multi-agent framework using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to detect and govern deepfakes, protecting against misinformation and digital fraud.
- AI Vishleshak (IIT Mandi): Enhanced audio-visual deepfake and handwritten signature forgery detection with adversarial robustness and explainability, aiding forensic accuracy.
- Real-Time Voice Deepfake Detection (IIT Kharagpur): Tools to detect synthetic voice manipulations, securing communication channels and preventing identity fraud.
- Bias Mitigation:
- Evaluating Gender Bias in Agricultural LLMs (Digital Futures Lab & Karya): Benchmarks and mitigates gender bias in AI models for agriculture, fostering fair and inclusive AI applications benefiting women farmers and rural communities.
- Penetration Testing and Evaluation:
- Anvil (IIIT Dharwad): A penetration testing and evaluation tool for LLMs and generative AI, enhancing AI system security and resilience against adversarial attacks.
How is the IndiaAI Mission Fostering a Responsible AI ecosystem in India?
The seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission aim to ensure responsible and safe AI deployment in India.
- IndiaAI Compute Pillar : This pillar provides high-end GPUs at affordable costs.
- These GPUs are available at a subsidized rate of just ₹65 per hour.
- IndiaAI Application Development Initiative : This pillar develops AI applications for India-specific challenges.
- Sectors include healthcare, agriculture, climate change, governance, and assistive learning technologies.
- AIKosh (Dataset Platform) : AIKosh develops large datasets for training AI models. It integrates data from government and non-government sources.
- IndiaAI Foundation Models : This pillar develops India’s own Large Multimodal Models using Indian data and languages.
- It ensures sovereign capability and global competitiveness in generative AI.
- IndiaAI FutureSkills : This pillar builds AI-skilled professionals.
- IndiaAI Startup Financing : This pillar provides financial support to AI startups.
- The IndiaAI Startups Global program launched in March 2025.
- Safe and Trusted AI : This pillar ensures responsible AI adoption with strong governance.
- Focus areas: machine unlearning, bias mitigation, privacy-preserving ML, explainability, auditing, governance testing.

AI Ecosystem in India
- Tech Sector Growth: Annual revenues projected to cross USD 280 billion in 2025.
- Employment: Over 6 million professionals are employed in the tech and AI ecosystem.
- Global Capability Centres (GCCs): India hosts 1,800+ GCCs, with 500+ focused on AI.
- Startup Landscape: Approximately 1.8 lakh startups in India; 89% of new startups last year incorporated AI into products/services.
- AI Adoption: On the NASSCOM AI Adoption Index, India scores 2.45/4, with 87% of enterprises actively using AI solutions.
- Leading Sectors: Key adopters include industrial & automotive, consumer goods & retail, BFSI, and healthcare, contributing around 60% of AI’s total value.
- AI Maturity: About 26% of Indian companies have achieved AI maturity at scale (BCG survey).

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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the role of IndiaAI in ensuring responsible AI deployment, mitigating biases, and safeguarding citizen rights in India’s AI ecosystem.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1.What is the objective of IndiaAI’s Safe & Trusted AI Mission?
IndiaAI aims to strengthen safe, trusted, and ethical AI, promoting responsible deployment, inclusive governance, and technological self-reliance across India.
Q2.Which key projects have been selected under IndiaAI’s Safe & Trusted AI pillar?
Five projects include Saakshya, AI Vishleshak, Real-Time Voice Deepfake Detection, Evaluating Gender Bias in Agricultural LLMs, and Anvil.
Q3.What is the current status of AI adoption and ecosystem in India?
India has a USD 280 billion tech sector, employs over 6 million professionals, hosts 1,800+ GCCs, and sees 87% of enterprises actively using AI, with 26% achieving AI maturity at scale.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)
- Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
- Create meaningful short stories and songs
- Disease diagnosis
- Text-to-Speech Conversion
- Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b)
Mains:
Q. Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? (2023)
SC Strikes Down Army’s Gender-Based Quota for JAG Recruitment
14-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Supreme Court (SC) of India struck down the Indian Army’s policy limiting the appointment of women officers to the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch, rejected the argument that women cannot serve in counter-insurgency or counter-terror forces, and emphasized gender equality in all combat-support arms.
Note: The JAG is the legal arm of the Indian Army, advising on military law under the Army Act, 1950, and guiding commanders on operational, administrative, and disciplinary matters.
- JAG officers are commissioned combatants who can be deployed in combat-support roles during wartime.
- Under Section 12 of the Army Act, 1950, women are eligible to join JAG.
What are the SC’s Directives on Army JAG Recruitment and Women in Operational Roles?
- Common Merit List: The SC struck down the Army’s policy reserving six of nine JAG vacancies for men, ruling that the Army and the Union Government cannot limit the number of women officers in the JAG once they are permitted entry under the Army Act, 1950 and directed them to prepare a single merit-based list, ensuring selection solely on merit.
- Equal Opportunity in Combat-support Roles: The SC held that excluding women from counterinsurgency or counter-terror roles lacks legal basis, violates equality, and stressed that no nation is secure when half its population is held back.
- Proven Operational Capability: SC highlighted that unlike the Army, other forces have no bar on women in combat roles, citing Captain Ojaswita Shree, Major Dwipannita Kalita, and Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh as examples of women excelling in high-risk duties.
- SC noted Major Gopika Bhatti’s convoy command in militant-prone areas and Colonel Anshu Jamwal’s UN Peacekeeping missions in combat zones, questioning the exclusion of such capable officers from deployment in counter-insurgency or counter-terror operations
SC Rulings on Women in the Defence Forces
- Secretary, Ministry of Defence vs. Babita Puniya (2020): SC mandated Permanent Commission (PC) for women in the Army in all arms where Short Service Commission (SSC) is available.
- SC held that women should be allowed to hold command positions and declared the denial of PC based on gender as a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.
- Kush Kalra vs. Union of India (2021): SC ordered the entry of women into the National Defence Academy (NDA), allowing them to train for permanent commissions alongside men.
Nari Shakti in Defence
- Over the past decade, women in India’s defence forces have grown from around 3,000 (2014) to over 11,000 (2025), reflecting a major policy and mindset shift.
- The NDA inducted its first 17 female cadets in 2022, and since then 126 women have joined across four batches, marking a historic step in integrating women across combat support and operational roles.

What is the Significance of Women in Defence Forces?
- Enhancing Operational Effectiveness: Women enhance modern military operations by contributing diverse skills in, intelligence, logistics, and humanitarian missions, improving situational awareness and decision-making in conflict zones.
- Strengthening Peace and Security: Women in defence play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable populations, especially women and children, during conflicts.
- Gender-diverse forces are more responsive to societal needs, ensuring security strategies are holistic and effective.
- Social Impact: Women in senior roles inspire and mentor younger officers, boosting career growth and morale.
- During Operation Sindoor, Col. Sofia Qureshi and Wg Cdr. Vyomika Singh exemplified leadership and professionalism, leaving a significant social impact.
- Integrating women in defence reflects societal progress, ensures representation, upholds Articles 14, 15 and 16, and promotes equality, accountability, and human rights in the armed forces.
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Keywords for Mains
- “Diversity Strengthens Strategy” : Gender inclusion improves operational effectiveness.
- “Peace Through Inclusion”: Women’s role in humanitarian, peacekeeping, and civic operations.
- “Combat-Ready Equality”: Women eligible for all combat-support roles.
- “Merit Over Gender”: Selection in armed forces based on capability, not sex.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Evaluate the role of judicial intervention in ensuring gender parity in national security institutions.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q. What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? (2019)
Negotiations for India-Oman CEPA Concluded
14-08-2025
Source: ET
India concluded negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman, aimed at boosting trade and investment.
- CEPA is a free trade agreement that encompasses trade in goods and services, along with broader economic cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation, competition policy, and intellectual property rights (IPR).
- It is broader than a standard FTA, also addressing regulatory issues to ensure smooth and predictable trade.
India-Oman Bilateral Relations:
- Strategic Partnership: Oman, bordering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, is a key Gulf partner. Diplomatic relations were established in 1955 which was upgraded to strategic partnership in 2008.
- Trade and Economic Relations: Oman is the third-largest export destination among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for India, following UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- Bilateral trade reached USD 10.61 billion (FY 2024-25), with India’s key exports including light oils, rice, machinery, and metals, while imports mainly consisted of crude oil, LNG, fertilizers, and chemicals.
- Multilateral Cooperation: Oman is an important interlocutor in the GCC, Arab League, and IORA.


India’s First Earth Observation Satellite Constellation
14-08-2025
Source:TH
India is set to launch its first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite constellation, led by a private consortium under a public-private partnership model.
- Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace-led consortium has been selected by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to build and operate India’s first EO satellite constellation.
- The consortium will build 12 satellites over five years, and launch, operate them, develop ground infrastructure, and commercialise the data.
- The constellation will include a variety of satellites with high resolution, wide coverage, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and hyper-spectral satellites.
- Developed satellites will provide Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS) for climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, marine surveillance, national security, urban planning and meet global demand for geospatial intelligence.
- This initiative ensures data sovereignty and reduces dependence on foreign satellite data.
- IN-SPACe: It is a single-window, independent, nodal agency under the Department of Space that enables and regulates private sector participation in satellites, launch vehicles, and space services, acting as a link between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and non-governmental entities.
Dismantling the Roots of Left Wing Extremism
14-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Left Wing Extremism (LWE), once a major internal security threat, has contracted from the extensive Red Corridor to just 18 districts, driven by targeted development, sustained security operations, leadership crises, and erosion of its grassroots support.
What are the Major Milestones in India’s Fight Against Left-Wing Extremism?

- About: LWE (Left-Wing Extremism) refers to the armed insurgency mainly led by Maoist groups, aimed at overthrowing the government through violent means.
- Originating from the Naxalbari movement (1967, West Bengal), it is concentrated in parts of central and eastern India.
- Key Milestones:
- Sustained Reduction in LWE Incidents: Left Wing Extremism (LWE) incidents dropped by more than 50% between 2004–14 and 2014–23.
- India aims to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026.
- Key Operations: In 2024, India’s intelligence operations neutralized 290 Maoists, aided by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and strengthened Special Intelligence Branches.
- The Karreguttalu Hill operation (Operation Black Forest) in 2025 achieved the elimination of key Maoist operatives, with security forces emerging unscathed.
What Additional Strategies Can Strengthen India’s Response to Left-Wing Extremism?
- Governance & Development: Ensure last-mile delivery, inclusive growth, and infrastructure development in LWE-affected regions to address socio-economic grievances at the grassroots.
- Enhanced Security Architecture: Implement technology-enabled smart policing, coordinated intelligence sharing, and area domination operations to maintain a sustained security presence.
- Community-Centric Approach: Promote trust-building, grievance redressal, and participatory local governance to win hearts and minds of affected populations.
- Rehabilitation & Mainstreaming: Provide surrender-cum-rehabilitation packages, skill development, and livelihood opportunities for former extremists to aid reintegration into society.
- Inter-Agency & Centre-State Coordination: Adopt a whole-of-government approach with joint task forces, unified command, and real-time decision-making for effective LWE management.

Related Keywords for Mains
- “Development Defeats Dissent” – Accelerated infrastructure, livelihoods, and welfare in LWE-hit areas.
- “Security with Sensitivity” – Balanced use of force with respect for rights and local culture.
- “Connectivity as Counter-Insurgency” – Roads, telecom, and digital access as enablers of integration.
- “Education Ends Extremism” – Schools and skill training to break recruitment cycles.
Conclusion
The sustained decline in Left Wing Extremism reflects the success of India’s multi-pronged SAMADHAN doctrine—Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation and training, Actionable intelligence, Dashboard-based key result areas, Harnessing technology, Action plan for each theatre, and No access to financing. Going forward, consolidating these gains will require deepening last-mile governance and ensuring inclusive development.
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Drishti Mains Question:
What is Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India, and what are the key factors contributing to its decline in India?
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains:
Q. The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements. With Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) doctrine that affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth. (2015)
Q. Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the Fifth schedule on the growth of Left-wing extremism. (2018)
Q. What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (2020)
Reversal on ELV Fuel Ban
14-07-2025
Source: TH
The Delhi government has rolled back its fuel ban on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs)-Petrol cars over 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 years as directed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
- CAQM is a statutory body for ensuring coordinated action, scientific research, and effective resolution of air pollution issues in the Delhi NCR and adjoining areas.
Legal Mandate for Fuel Ban on ELVs:
- NGT Orders (2015): NGT banned diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years in Delhi-NCR and barred their re-registration.
- Supreme Court (SC) Ruling (2018): SC in MC Mehta vs Union Of India, 2018 case upheld NGT orders and permitted impounding of non-compliant vehicles.
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, private vehicle registration is valid for 15 years, after which renewal is required.
- Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989: Expired registration makes a vehicle legally unfit for road use.
- Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025: Mandates scrapping of vehicles within 180 days of registration expiry.
State of Air pollution in India:
- Air pollution poses a severe public health challenge in India, contributing to approximately 1.67 million deaths each year, according to the WHO, and is responsible for 17% of all deaths nationwide, as reported by the State of Global Air 2023.
- The 2024 World Air Quality Report (IQAir) ranks India as the 5th most polluted country, with an average PM2.5 level of 50.6 µg/m³, ten times above the WHO safe limit. Delhi remains the world’s most polluted capital.
Declining Household Savings & Rising Liabilities
14-07-2025
For Prelims: Inflation, Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, National Pension System (NPS), Paradox of Savings, FDI, Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), UPI, Jan Dhan, e-RUPI, Inflation-indexed Bonds, Atal Pension Yojana, Sovereign Gold Bonds.
For Mains: Current trend in household savings in India, Implications of low household savings rate and rising household debt, Strategies needed to maintain sustainable household savings & manage debt in India.
Source: BL
Why in News?
India’s household savings pattern is undergoing a significant transformation, raising concerns about long-term economic stability and domestic capital formation.
What is the Current Trend in Household Savings in India?
- Falling Gross Savings Rate: India’s gross domestic savings rate fell from 34.6% of GDP in 2011–12 to 29.7% in 2022–23, marking a four-decade low, while household net savings, which traditionally made up 60% of total savings, have also declined.
- Rising Household Debt: Household liabilities peaked at 6.4% of GDP (FY24), near the 2007 high (6.6%), driven by borrowing for consumption, housing, and education.
- Saving Pattern: Physical savings (gold, real estate) increased from 59.7% in 2019–20 to 71.5% in 2023–24, while financial savings declined from 40.3% to 28.5%.
- Within financial savings, bank deposits dropped from 58% (FY12) to 37% (FY23), while investments in equities, and mutual funds nearly doubled (Rs 1.02 lakh crore in FY21 to Rs 2.02 lakh crore in FY23).
- Urban vs. Rural Divide: Urban households increasingly invest in financial instruments (mutual funds, equities) due to better financial access, while rural households continue to prefer cash and physical assets, highlighting gaps in financial inclusion.
- Post-Pandemic & Inflationary Pressures: While Covid-19 initially boosted savings due to reduced spending, the trend reversed as the economy reopened, with high inflation eroding disposable incomes and low real interest rates making traditional savings like fixed deposits less attractive.
Household Savings and Household Debt
- About: Household savings refer to the portion of a household’s disposable income that is not spent on consumption but is set aside for future use, typically in the form of bank deposits, investments, insurance, or physical assets like gold or property.
- Types: Household (HH) savings in India comprise net financial savings (NFS) and physical savings.
- NFS is calculated by subtracting financial liabilities (annual borrowing) from gross financial savings (GFS), which includes currencies, deposits, insurance, provident and pension funds (P&PF), shares & debentures, small savings, and others.
- Physical savings mainly include residential real estate (about two-thirds) and machinery/equipment owned by HH-sector producers.
- Household Debt: It refers to all household debts (including those of non-profits serving households) that must be repaid with interest or principal to creditors by a set future date.
- Initiatives Related to Household Savings: Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, Kisan Vikas Patra Scheme, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, National Pension System (NPS) etc.
What are the Implications of Low Household Savings Rate and Rising Household Debt?
- Reduced Domestic Capital Formation: Reduced household savings, a key source for investment and capital formation, may slow GDP growth and increase dependence on foreign capital (FDI, external borrowing), heightening external vulnerabilities.
- Consumption-Driven Growth: Lower savings reflect higher consumption spending, which can boost short-term demand but reduce long-term investment capacity. It risks debt-fueled growth bubbles like the 2008 US subprime crisis.
- Pressure on Fiscal and Monetary Policy: A fall in private savings may compel the government to boost public savings through higher taxes or spending cuts, while the RBI faces a trade-off—low interest rates discourage savings, whereas high rates raise borrowing costs.
- Rising Household Debt Stress: Rising household debt, especially through unsecured loans, credit cards, and personal loans, increases the risk of loan defaults and potential debt traps if incomes don’t rise proportionally, leading to higher Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).
- Social and Inequality Concerns: Lower savings weaken household emergency resilience and increase reliance on borrowing for essentials, leading to long-term financial instability, while declining provident/pension savings and a shift to market-linked investments raise the risk of retirement insecurity.
Paradox of Savings
- About: The Paradox of Savings (or Paradox of Thrift) is an economic theory that suggests while saving money is good for an individual, if everyone saves more simultaneously, it can hurt the overall economy.
- Key Idea: When households raise savings and cut spending, it reduces aggregate demand, leading to lower production, which prompts businesses to cut jobs and incomes.
- As a result, declining incomes may cause the economy’s overall savings to decrease rather than increase.
- E.g., In a recession, if people fear job losses and save more instead of spending, businesses earn less revenue → lay off workers → unemployment rises → incomes fall → savings shrink.
- Origins and Development of the Theory: The concept was notably popularized by John Maynard Keynes in his influential 1936 work, The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money.
- Keynesian economists argue that consumer spending drives economic growth, and savings are transformed into investments aimed at producing goods for these markets.
- However, if consumer demand is insufficient, it can lead to a decline in such investments, thereby hampering economic growth.
What Strategies can be Adopted to Maintain Sustainable Household Savings in India?
- Improve Financial Literacy & Awareness: Expand financial education programs (schools, SHGs, digital platforms) to teach saving habits, investment risks, and debt management, while promoting low-risk savings instruments (Sukanya Samriddhi, post-office schemes) among low-income households.
- Leverage UPI, Jan Dhan, and e-RUPI for small-ticket savings (e.g., Recurring Deposits via apps).
- Tax & Interest Rate Incentives: Increasing tax deductions for long-term savings, and introducing inflation-indexed bonds can incentivize secure investments, protecting purchasing power, and promoting financial stability.
- Strengthen Social Security Systems: Expand pension coverage (Atal Pension Yojana, NPS) for informal sector workers and offer subsidized retirement plans to reduce old-age dependency risks for low-income groups.
- Responsible Lending Regulations: Implement strict RBI norms on unsecured loans (credit cards, personal loans), including Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio caps and transparent loan pricing, to prevent reckless borrowing and debt traps.
- Impose higher risk weights on luxury loans and promote good debt education, home loans) over bad debt (impulsive spending).
- Encourage Productive Investments: Introduce gold monetization schemes like Sovereign Gold Bonds to unlock idle assets, and implement affordable housing policies to curb real estate speculation.
- Offer tax incentives for long-term equity holdings (extend LTCG benefits), while regulating speculative trading.
Conclusion
India’s declining household savings and rising debt threaten economic stability. To ensure sustainability, policies must boost financial literacy, incentivize savings, regulate reckless lending, and expand social security. Balancing consumption-led growth with prudent savings and debt management is crucial for long-term resilience, inclusive development, and reducing vulnerabilities in an evolving financial landscape.
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Drishti Mains Questions:
India’s declining household savings rate poses risks to long-term economic growth." Analyse the causes and suggest policy measures to revive sustainable savings.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question
Prelims
Q. In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because (2019)
(a) poverty rates vary from State to State
(b) price levels vary from State to State
(c) Gross State Product varies from State to State
(d) quality of public distribution varies from State to State
Ans: (b)
Q. As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements: (2018)
- Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
- Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 percent belong to OBCs.
- In Kerala, a little over 60 percent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, the savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential? (2017)
Revamping India’s BFSI Sector
14-06-2025
For Prelims: Reserve Bank of India, Capital formation, Sustainable development,Financial inclusion, Bank privatisation, Equities markets, Corporate bonds
For Mains: State of Banking, Financial, Services and Insurance (BFSI) Sector in India, Challenges Related to BFSI sector, Steps to be Taken to Address Challenges in India’s BFSI Sector
Source: TH
Why in News?
India's Banking, Financial, Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector faces ongoing structural challenges, including fragmented regulations, a shallow corporate bond market, and unregulated shadow banking, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms to strengthen and stabilize the financial system for sustainable growth.
What is the Current Status of India’s BFSI Sector?
- About: The BFSI sector refers to Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance, which collectively form the backbone of a country’s financial infrastructure.
- It includes institutions such as banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), insurance firms, mutual funds, pension funds, and fintech companies that provide financial products and services to individuals and businesses.
- State of India’s BFSI Sector:
- Rapid Expansion and Changing Sector Dynamics: India’s BFSI sector saw a 50-fold surge in market capitalisation, from Rs 1.8 trillion in 2005 to Rs 91 trillion in 2025, with a CAGR of around 22%.
- While banks remain foundational, their share in total market cap dropped from 85% to 57%, as Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and fintechs gained ground through agility, innovation, and targeted financial solutions.
- Rise of Fintechs and NBFCs: Since 2015, the fintech sector has grown exponentially, now valued at over Rs 12 trillion.
- Alongside, NBFCs have expanded significantly, bridging credit gaps for underserved populations, particularly in rural and informal sectors, thereby enhancing financial inclusion.
- Resilience & Financial Strength: The BFSI sector’s contribution to Nifty-50 earnings (share of profits made by companies in the BFSI industry within the total earnings of the top-50 companies listed on the stock market) increased from 16% in FY10 to 33% in FY24, supported by better asset quality, strong credit demand, and lower provisioning.
- By FY24, banks’ net worth reached Rs 26 trillion and NBFCs’ Rs 12.4 trillion, strengthening the sector’s resilience.
What are the Key Challenges Related to India’s BFSI Sector?
- Fragmented Regulatory Framework: India’s BFSI sector faces challenges due to a fragmented regulatory structure, with different regulators like RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI overseeing various segments.
- This leads to overlapping jurisdictions, regulatory gaps, and inconsistent supervision, resulting in compliance complexities and operational inefficiencies for financial institutions.
- The RBI’s directive to the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to build a secondary bond market was ignored, as equity trading offers higher profits—often through opaque algorithmic strategies that have drawn scrutiny.
- Underdeveloped Corporate Bond Market: India’s corporate bond market remains shallow, illiquid, and opaque which keeps the cost of capital high, hampering business viability and economic growth.
- India’s domestic corporate bond market, valued at around Rs 64 trillion, represents only 18–20% of the country’s nominal GDP.
- Opacity in Ownership and UBO Disclosure India faces challenges in ensuring transparency of capital flows and ownership in its financial markets due to lack of effective disclosure of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO).
- Current thresholds for UBO disclosure (10% for companies and 15% for partnerships) allow investors to structure their holdings just below the limit to avoid reporting.
- Investors often keep holdings just below disclosure limits (e.g., 9.9%) to evade UBO rules, hindering SEBI's ability to trace actual control.
- Some Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) resist sharing detailed ownership data, weakening SEBI’s oversight. Despite India’s Financial Action Task Force (FATF) commitments, poor implementation hampers enforcement, transparency, and investor trust.
- Weak Insurance Penetration: Despite rising awareness, insurance penetration in India remains low by global standards. As of 2023, it stood at just 4.2% of GDP, indicating limited coverage and underutilization of insurance as a financial safety net.
- Non-Performing Assets (NPAs): Despite recent declines, Non-Performing Assets remain a key challenge for Indian banks, especially public sector banks. High levels of bad loans constrain their lending capacity to productive sectors.
- Shadow Banking Risks: Shadow banking (where NBFCs, margin lenders, and brokers provide banking-like services without comprehensive regulation), poses a significant threat to India’s financial stability.
- Retail investors frequently end up paying high interest rates (over 20%) on margin loans, as brokers lend back the investor’s own funds and charge interest on the entire amount.
- The scale of such unregulated lending remains unclear to regulators, raising concerns about financial stability akin to the 2008 global financial crisis triggered by unregulated derivatives.
- Cybersecurity Threats: With growing digital adoption in the BFSI sector, cybersecurity risks have intensified. The rise in online banking and digital payments has increased vulnerability to data breaches, fraud, and cyber-attacks.
- In 2024, over 1.35 lakh phishing attacks targeting India’s financial sector were reported by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
What are the Key Committees Related to Financial Sector Reforms in India?
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Area
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Committee
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Key Focus
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Banking Reforms
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Narasimham Committee
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Banking sector reform, Asset Reconstruction
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Financial Sector Reforms
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Raghuram Rajan Committee
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Overall financial sector reform
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Bank Licensing
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Bimal Jalan Committee
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New bank licenses
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NBFC Regulation
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A.C. Shah Committee
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Regulation of NBFCs
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Cooperative Finance
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R.N. Mirdha Committee
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Cooperative societies
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Marathe Committee
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Licensing of Urban Cooperative Banks
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Banking Technology
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Rangarajan Committee
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Computerization of banks
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NPAs & Credit Issues
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Khanna Committee
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Non-performing assets (NPAs)
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S.S. Kohli Committee
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Willful defaulters
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Financial Inclusion
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Nachiket Mor Committee
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Payment banks
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H.R. Khan Committee
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Business Correspondent (BC) model
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Rural & Priority Sector Banking
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M.L. Dantwala Committee
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Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
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Gadgil Committee
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Lead banking scheme
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Capital Markets & Investment
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Sodhani Committee
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Forex & NRI investments
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Y.V. Reddy Committee
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Small savings reform
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What Measures can be Implemented to Revamp India’s BFSI Sector?
- Development of a Deep Bond Market: India’s corporate bond market, at just 18-20% of GDP, lags significantly behind countries like South Korea (80%) and China (36%).
- Strengthening this market can lower borrowing costs, improve access to long-term capital, and support industrial growth and employment.
- Strengthening KYC and UBO Norms: Ensure accurate and accessible data on ownership and control of financial investments. Enforcing strict KYC and Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) compliance by SEBI will curb misuse, enhance transparency, and build investor trust in capital markets.
- Regulating Shadow Banking: Mandate comprehensive data collection and transparency in shadow banking operations, especially among NBFCs, brokers, and margin lenders.
- India should adopt a regulatory approach similar to the European Union’s, using data as a foundation before enforcing tighter oversight.
- Integrated Financial Regulation: India needs harmonised regulation among RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA to address oversight gaps and regulatory inconsistencies.
- Different KYC norms across financial sectors cause inefficiencies and loopholes. A unified framework can enhance regulatory efficiency, transparency, and compliance.
- Improving NPA Resolution Framework: To improve asset quality, NPA resolution must be faster and more efficient.
- Strengthening the IBC with support for quicker resolutions and incentivized asset sales, along with enhancing the capacity of NCLTs and DRTs, can significantly boost recovery rates and reduce the burden on financial institutions.
- Reimagining the Insurance Market: Promote micro-insurance for low-income groups and offer tax incentives to middle-income segments.
- Simplify claim procedures, enhance transparency, and ensure timely settlements to build trust and expand insurance coverage.
- Promoting Digital Transformation & Cybersecurity: As digital adoption grows, strengthening cybersecurity is crucial. Financial institutions should implement robust security frameworks and adopt AI, ML, and blockchain for better fraud detection and efficiency.
- Initiatives like RBI’s Mulehunter.ai highlight the move towards secure and intelligent digital banking.
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Drishti Mains Question:
What are the key factors behind the growth of India’s BFSI sector? Examine the major challenges it faces in ensuring financial stability and inclusive growth.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q1. With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks’ in India, consider the following statements: (2021)
- They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments.
- They can issue equity shares and preference shares.
- They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q. Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India? (2018)
(a) Indian Banks’ Association
(b) National Securities Depository Limited
(c) National Payments Corporation of India
(d) Reserve Bank of India
Ans: (c)
Mains:
Q. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion. (2016)

Deep Seafloor Exploration
14-06-2025
Source: TH
A study has revealed that about 99.999% of the Earth’s deep seafloor, which covers two-thirds of the Earth area below 200 meters depth, remains visually unexplored.
- More than 97% of dives were conducted by just 5 countries (US, Japan, New Zealand, France, and Germany).
- Exploration has been biased toward geomorphological features like ridges and canyons, while vast abyssal plains, which cover the majority of the seafloor remain under-studied.
Deep Ocean:
- The deep ocean refers to the part of the ocean at depths greater than 200 meters, where sunlight no longer penetrates .
- The deep ocean is cold, with an average temperature of just 4°C, and is subjected to extreme pressures ranging from 40 to over 110 times that of Earth's atmosphere.
- The deep ocean region lacks photosynthesis due to absence of light and is nutrient-poor, yet life thrives in its harsh conditions.
- The mesopelagic zone (200–1,000 m), hosts about 90% of global fish biomass. It includes species like fish, squid and krill.
- India launched the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) in 2021 to explore and sustainably harness deep-sea resources.
- Significance of Exploration: Exploration of the deep ocean offers potential sources of energy (such as oil, gas, methane hydrate, and ocean currents), a promising reservoir for new antibiotics, the discovery of polymetallic nodules, and critical insights into understanding, predicting, and mitigating climate change.
Marine Snow
- It is a steady fall of organic matter, like dead plankton, fecal pellets, and mucus from the ocean surface to the deep sea. It sustains deep-sea life in the absence of sunlight and plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle by transporting carbon to ocean depths, aiding long-term sequestration and climate regulation.

IREDA Bags ‘Excellent’ Ratings
14-06-2025
Source: PIB
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) was awarded an 'Excellent' rating for its exceptional performance in the Power and NBFC sectors by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).
- IREDA received the 'Excellent' rating for the fourth consecutive year, based on its annual performance for FY 2023-24.
- This recognition highlights IREDA’s leadership in green financing and reaffirms its dedication to nation-building through promoting sustainable energy solutions.
IREDA:
- IREDA is a Navratna public sector company under MNRE, established in 1987 as a Non-Banking Financial Institution.
- It is the largest green financing NBFC in India, dedicated to promoting, developing, and financing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, while supporting the sector by encouraging lending from banks and financial institutions.
DPE Ratings:
- The DPE, under the Ministry of Finance, formulates policies on CPSEs' performance, autonomy, and finance, and publishes the Public Enterprises Survey for monitoring.
- DPE Ratings annually assess CPSEs on MoU targets like profitability and efficiency, grading them from Poor to Excellent to ensure accountability and transparency.
India's Renewable Energy Initiatives:


Snail Infestation in Cardamom
14-06-2025
Source: TH
The cardamom-growing regions of Idukki, Kerala, are facing threat from small snail infestations following heavy summer rains. Snails feed on new panicles, flowers, and young capsules, causing crop damage, reduced yield, and quality loss.
- Farmers are using chemical sprays like metaldehyde (as a last resort) to control snail infestations.
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
- About: Known as the “Queen of Spices,” it is a highly aromatic spice from the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family.
- It is native to the evergreen rainforests of the Western Ghats.
- Climatic Conditions: Requires rainfall of 1500-4000 mm, temperatures between 10°C to 35°C, and at altitudes of 600–1500 meters. It requires acidic, loamy, humus-rich soils with a pH of 5.0–6.5.
- Production Hotspots: Kerala contributes 58% of India’s cardamom output, with Idukki as the leading district.
- Karnataka grows it in districts like Kodagu and Chikmagalur.
- Tamil Nadu cultivates it in the Nilgiri hills.
- Recently identified cardamom species include Elettaria facifera (Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki) and Elettaria tulipifera (Agasthyamalai hills, Thiruvananthapuram and Munnar, Idukki).
Spices Market in India: India produced 11.14 million tonnes of spices in 2022–23, cultivating 75 of the 109 ISO-listed spices.
- Chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and coriander accounted for 76% of total production.
- Major producing states include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
- In 2023–24, India exported around 14 lakh tonnes of spices, with chilli being the top export (31%) to key markets such as China, Bangladesh, West Asia, and the US.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
13-11-2025
Source: ET
The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) chairman has expressed dissent over several key recommendations of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) expert committee headed by DK Sarraf on boosting domestic gas usage.

PNGRB
- About: PNGRB is a regulatory and statutory body constituted under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006.
- Objective: It aims to protect consumer interests, regulate petroleum and natural gas activities (excluding crude oil production), promote competitive markets, and ensure uninterrupted supply across India.
- Dispute Resolution: It can adjudicate disputes among entities or individuals over petroleum and gas operations, including refining, storage, transportation, distribution, and marketing.
- It also handles complaints on retail obligations, price displays, pipeline terms, city gas networks, and can issue orders, directions, or refer matters for investigation.
- Appeal Mechanism: The Appellate Tribunal, established under Section 110 of the Electricity Act, 2003, serves as the appeal authority under the PNGRB Act, 2006.
Intergenerational Equity & Conservation of Endangered Species
13-11-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Supreme Court (SC) of India reviewed the conservation status of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and the Lesser Florican, questioned the relevance of Western principles like intergenerational equity for protecting species close to extinction, and stressed the need for an eco-centric approach to biodiversity governance.
What is the Principle of Intergenerational Equity?
SC's Observation on the Principle of Intergenerational Equity
- Anthropocentric Nature of the Principle: The Court noted that intergenerational equity is human-centred, focusing on conserving resources mainly for the benefit of future human generations.
- SC noted that, it treats nature as a resource to pass down, ignoring the intrinsic value of species and ecosystems beyond human use.
- Limited Protection for Endangered Species: The Court observed that the principle offers weak conservation support when a species is already close to extinction.
- This limits its usefulness in biodiversity law, especially for critically endangered species like the GIB and Lesser Florican.
What are the Key Facts About Great Indian Bustards and Lesser Floricans?
Great Indian Bustard
- About: The Great Indian Bustard is a critically endangered grassland bird. It is one of the four bustard species in India, along with the Lesser Florican, Bengal Florican and Macqueen’s Bustard.
- The GIB is omnivorous and highly vulnerable to power line collisions due to its poor frontal vision.
- Distribution and Habitat: Found in India and the eastern regions of Pakistan. It lives in arid and semi-arid grasslands, open landscapes with thorny scrub and tall grasses mixed with cultivation.
- In India it is present mainly in Rajasthan, with smaller populations in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh
- Breeding and Behaviour: Males remain solitary during the breeding season but may form flocks in the non-breeding period.
- Ecological Importance: GIB acts as an indicator species, it reflects the health of grassland ecosystems. Their decline signals degradation of native grasslands.
- Protection Status: IUCN Red List (Critically Endangered).
- Threats: The species faces severe threats from habitat loss, power line collisions, hunting, and predation by free-ranging dogs.

Lesser Florican
- About: The Lesser Florican is the smallest bird in the bustard family. It has a small body with longish bill and legs.
- Distribution and Habitat: Breeds in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
- They are found in productive lowland grasslands (below 250 m), dry grasslands with scattered scrub, and sometimes in cotton and millet fields.
- It is a rare summer visitor to the Terai region of Nepal.
- Conservation Status: IUCN Red Lis (Critically Endangered)
- Wildlife Protection Act,1972 (Schedule I)
- CITES (Appendix II)

What are SC’s Recommendations for Biodiversity Conservation?
- Shift Toward an Eco-Centric Approach: In T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India (2012), the SC affirmed an eco-centric approach, stating that the Constitution requires compassion for all living beings and that species have intrinsic value beyond human use.
- The Court urged a shift away from anthropocentric thinking toward an eco-centric philosophy.
- Stronger Protection for Critically Endangered Species: Calls for focused, science-based conservation action for species like the Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican.
- Fair treatment extends to animals : In Animal Welfare Board of India v. Nagaraja (2014), the SC held that Article 21’s guarantee of dignity and fair treatment extends to animals, reinforcing the constitutional duty to protect their well-being.
- The Court urged that environmental and wildlife laws be consistently interpreted to support long-term ecological balance and sustainable conservation.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court stressed that conservation of the dying species needs an eco-centric approach rather than human-centred principles. The Court reaffirmed that safeguarding endangered species is a constitutional and ecological responsibility.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the limitations of intergenerational equity principle for conserving critically endangered species in India. Suggest alternatives with legal and policy measures.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is intergenerational equity?
Intergenerational equity holds that each generation may use natural resources but must conserve them for future generations.
2. Why did the Supreme Court find intergenerational equity inadequate for endangered species?
The Court said the doctrine is essentially anthropocentric (focusing on human benefit across generations) and offers limited protection when species require immediate, species-specific, eco-centric interventions.
3. What practical measures did the Supreme Court recommend for bustard and florican conservation?
The Court urged an eco-centric policy focus: stronger habitat protection, science-based recovery programmes (including captive breeding), infrastructure mitigation (undergrounding/rerouting power lines), and timely implementation of conservation directives.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species? (2012)
(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
Ans: (a)
Q. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? (2020)
- It is spread over two districts.
- There is no human habitation inside the Park.
- It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? (2018)
Nyoma Airbase
13-11-2025
Source:ET
India has inaugurated its newest and highest fighter-capable airbase at Nyoma in Ladakh, built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), marking a major boost to the country’s air power along the northern front.
- Nyoma Airbase: Nyoma lies at 13,700 feet, making it one of the world’s highest fighter-capable airbases.
- Located only 35 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), it gives India rapid-response capability against China.
- It strengthens India’s forward military posture after the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troop buildup in eastern Ladakh (2020).
- The base will significantly boost air infrastructure in Ladakh and enhance the Indian Air Force's (IAF) ability to respond quickly to any aerial threats along the northern frontier.
- Key Capabilities of the Nyoma Base: It supports fighter jet operations, unlike the earlier limited-use airstrip. Enhances surveillance, mobility, and logistics in a strategically sensitive region.

Strengthening Labour Rights in India
13-10-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Sigachi Industries reactor blast in Telangana, along with a spate of industrial accidents in 2025, has reignited concerns over industrial safety standards and the weakening of labour protections, reviving debates on the erosion of workers’ rights in India.
What are the Reasons for Rising Industrial Accidents in India?
- Negligence and Cost-Cutting: Employers often ignore maintenance, use outdated machinery, and skip safety checks leading to frequent industrial accidents.
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) states that industrial accidents are rarely random and they usually result from employers cutting corners, underinvesting in safety, or forcing workers into long hours and high pressure due to low wages.
- Lack of Training and Safety Systems: Workers are poorly trained, and many sites lack alarms, safety gear, or emergency facilities leading to mishandling of equipment and delayed response during crises.
- At Sigachi Industries, the reactor reportedly ran at twice the permissible temperature without any alarm or intervention, underscoring serious safety lapses.
- Overwork and Fatigue: Long hours and high work pressure increase mistakes in hazardous environments.
- Weak Law Enforcement: Irregular inspections and poor enforcement allow unsafe practices to continue.
- Unregistered Workers: Informal workers lack records, legal protection, and access to compensation, increasing vulnerability.
- Deliberate Actions to Claim Insurance: Some accidents are manipulated or exaggerated to secure insurance payouts, contributing to underreporting of actual workplace safety practices.
What are the Key Labour Laws Governing Workers' Rights in India?
- Factories Act, 1948: Governs working conditions, machinery maintenance, safety standards, working hours, rest breaks, canteens, and crèches.
- Includes provisions for inspections and enforcement to ensure compliance.
- It was amended in 1976 and 1987, the latter after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, to strengthen safety norms.
- Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923: Provides compensation to workers injured or killed on the job.
- Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948: Offers health insurance, medical care, and cash benefits to employees in case of sickness, maternity, or employment-related injury.
- Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and Minimum Wages Act, 1948: Ensure timely and fair payment.
- Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: Protects workers’ rights regarding termination, layoffs, and dispute resolution.
- Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020: Consolidates 13 previous labour laws into a single framework. OSHWC Code seeks to regulate safety, health, and working conditions across sectors, though full implementation is pending.


What are the Challenges in Protecting Workers’ Rights in India?
- Systemic Erosion of Legal Safeguards: Labour protections have been diluted under the guise of flexibility and ease of doing business, weakening enforcement mechanisms.
- For example, Maharashtra’s 2015 self-certification rule allowed factories to bypass independent inspections, undermining statutory safety provisions.
- Normalization of Informality and Vulnerability: Policy shifts favoring employer discretion to hire, fire, and extract work without oversight have entrenched informal employment, leaving workers unregistered and without legal or social protection.
- Most contract workers in Sivakasi fireworks factories operate without formal records, making accident compensation irregular and delayed.
- Gendered Exclusion from Economic Gains: Weak enforcement of workplace rights disproportionately affects women, constraining participation and perpetuating gender exclusion
- Corporate Accountability Deficit: Reduced inspections and self-certification limit avenues to hold employers criminally or financially responsible for negligence.
- For instance, industrial disasters like the Ennore coal-handling collapse saw minimal legal consequences for structural failures despite evident lapses.
- Long-Term Economic and Productivity Impact: Unsafe and exploitative work conditions lower productivity, with informal trade workers earning USD 5/hour, nearly half the national average of USD 11/hour, undermining India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.
How can India Strengthen Worker Rights and Improve Safety?
- Reinforce Legal Safeguards: Fully implement the OSHWC Code, 2020, and align labour policies with ILO conventions on workplace safety, decent work, and social protection.
- Formalisation and Social Security: Digitally register informal workers through the Shram Suvidha Portal and integrate them into universal social security coverage, including pensions, health insurance, and paid leave.
- Skill Development and Safety Training: Implement sector-specific safety and skilling programs via National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Skill India Mission.
- Accelerate the implementation of Mission Digital ShramSetu as proposed by NITI Aayog.
- Leverage AI-enabled monitoring and predictive tools under #AIforAll to track compliance and hazards in high-risk industries.
- Gender-Inclusive Measures Promote female workforce participation through workplace childcare facilities, maternity benefits under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and vocational training programs targeted at women in informal sectors.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Compliance: Encourage adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria among businesses.
- Integrate worker welfare considerations into corporate CSR strategies.
- Promote Collective Action and Safety Culture: Encourage collective bargaining, worker representation, and whistleblower protection.
- Foster a “safety-first” industrial culture, treating worker protection as an investment rather than a cost.
- Data-Driven Monitoring: Establish national dashboards to track compliance, accident rates, and social protection coverage, enabling targeted policy interventions and preventing negligence.
Conclusion
Protecting worker rights needs strong laws, social security, skills training, gender inclusion, corporate accountability, and data-driven monitoring. Addressing these will safeguard workers, boost productivity, and advance Viksit Bharat 2047.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
How do systemic erosion and weak enforcement affect labour rights in India, and what reforms can address these gaps?
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main causes of workplace accidents in India?
Outdated machinery, poor safety systems, long work hours, unregistered workers, and weak law enforcement.
2. Which laws protect industrial workers in India?
Key laws include the Factories Act 1948, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020, Workmen’s Compensation Act 1923, ESI Act 1948, Payment of Wages Act 1936, and Minimum Wages Act 1948.
3. How has the OSHWC Code, 2020, reformed worker safety regulations?
It consolidates 13 labour laws to streamline safety, health, and working conditions, though full implementation is pending.
4. What measures can improve worker rights and industrial safety?
Reinforcing legal safeguards, formalising informal workers, skill training, gender inclusion, corporate accountability, and AI-enabled monitoring.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)
- The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.
- N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. “Success of ‘Make in India’ programme depends on the success of ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms.” Discuss with logical arguments. (2015)
Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025
13-09-2025
For Prelims: Online Gaming, Real Money gaming (RMG) Industry, Digital Payment System, Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).
For Mains: Factors leading to the rise of the gaming industry in India, Need of code of ethics and deregulating India's online gaming sector.
Source: ET
Why in News?
The Act, passed by Parliament, encourages e-sports and online social games while prohibiting harmful online money gaming services, advertisements, and financial transactions related to them.
- The act was introduced in Parliament as a Finance Bill under Articles 117(1) and 117(3) of the Constitution, with the President’s recommendation.
What is Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025?
- About: The Act seeks to create a comprehensive legal framework to regulate, promote, and support the online gaming sector, fostering a responsible digital environment for citizens.
- Ban on Online Money Games: The act completely prohibits offering, advertising, or facilitating financial transactions for real money games.
- Banks and financial institutions are barred from processing payments for such platforms.
- Authorities empowered under the IT Act, 2000 to block unlawful platforms.
- Key Provisions of the Act: Online games are classified in the following manner:
- E-Sports: Recognized as a legitimate sport, competitive digital sports played through organized tournaments, requiring skill.
- Online Social Games: Primarily skill-based games designed for entertainment, or social interaction. Examples: Wordle.
- Online Money Games: Games involving financial stakes, whether based on chance, skill, or both. Players pay fees or deposit money with the expectation of monetary or other gains. Examples: Dream11, Poker, Rummy.
- Applicability of the Act: Across India and includes online money gaming services offered within India or operated from outside but accessible in India.
- Promotion of Positive Gaming:
- E-Sports: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to frame guidelines, establish training academies, and research centres.
- Social/Educational Games: Union Government can recognize, register, and promote safe, age-appropriate platforms for learning and recreation.
- Regulatory Body: A national-level regulator to:
- Categorize and register games.
- Determine if a game qualifies as a money game.
- Handle complaints and grievances.
- The Central Government is authorized to appoint officers with powers of investigation, search, seizure, and arrest (in certain cases even without a warrant).
- Offences and Penalties:
- Offering online money games: Up to 3 years imprisonment and ₹1 crore fine.
- Advertising banned games: Up to 2 years imprisonment and ₹50 lakh fine.
- Offences are cognisable and non-bailable.
- Liability Clause: The Act makes companies and their officers accountable, while independent and non-executive directors are exempt if they can demonstrate due diligence.
Online Gambling
- About: Online games are defined as those played on electronic or digital devices and operated through software using the internet or other electronic communication technologies.
- It facilitates real-time interaction and competition between players, regardless of their location.
- Classification:
- Skill-Based Games: They prioritize skill over chance and are legal in India. E.g., Game 24X7, Dream11, and Mobile Premier League (MPL).
- Games of Chance: Their outcome depends mainly on luck rather than skill and are Illegal in India. E.g., Roulette, which attracts players primarily for monetary rewards.
- Market Size: In 2023, India became the world's largest gaming market with 568 million gamers and 9.5 billion app downloads.
- The market, valued at USD 2.2 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 8.6 billion by 2028.
What are the Key Growth Drivers of India’s Gaming Industry ?
- Economic Drivers: India's vibrant start-up ecosystem, supported by Start-up India and Atmanirbhar Bharat framework, has fostered the growth of numerous gaming companies and platforms.
- These startups are driving innovation and catering to the diverse gaming preferences of Indian consumers, contributing to the expansion and evolution of the gaming industry in the country.
- India has produced numerous gaming unicorns, including Games24X7, Dream11 and Mobile Premier League.
- In the last few years, gaming companies raised USD 2.8 billion from domestic and global investors, amounting to 3% of total startup funding in India.
- NVIDIA has announced the launch of its cloud gaming service in India in November 2025.
- Technological Enablers;
- Initiatives such as BharatNet and the National Broadband Mission (NBM) are focused on providing high-speed internet to rural and remote regions.
- The 5G rollout has further boosted internet speeds and lowered latency, crucial for a smooth gaming experience.
- A recent survey by MoSPI reveals that over 85% of Indian households now own smartphones, with internet access available within the premises for 86.3%.
- Mobile phones contribute to 90% of the gaming market in India as compared to about 37% and 62% in the US and China, respectively.
- Policy & Cultural Shifts:
- IT Rules 2021, self-regulatory bodies, and the AVGC Task Force created a framework for safe growth.
- Gamers honored in the Content Creators Award; Create in India Campaign promotes content creators.
- Covid-19 lockdown drove 50% industry growth, with average gaming time rising from 2.5 to 4.1 hrs/day, turning gaming into a legitimate career path.
How is the Gaming Industry Regulated in India?
- Information Technology Act, 2000 & Rules
- The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, amended in April 2023, set standards for online gaming platforms.
- Intermediaries must prevent the circulation of unlawful/illegal content.
- Platforms offering money games must register with Self-Regulatory Bodies (SRBs), which determine if a game is permissible.
- Section 69A empowers the government to block illegal sites/apps — 1,524 betting and gambling platforms blocked (2022–June 2025).
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023:
- Section 111: Penalises unlawful economic activities and cybercrimes.
- Section 112: Punishes unauthorised betting/gambling with 1–7 years imprisonment and fines.
- Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Act, 2017:
- Extends to illegal/offshore gaming platforms.
- Online money gaming suppliers must register under the Simplified Registration Scheme.
- The DG of GST Intelligence can direct blocking of unregistered/non-compliant platforms.
- Ensures digital gaming entities follow the same taxation norms as physical businesses.
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Prohibits misleading/surrogate advertisements.
- The CCPA can investigate, penalise, and initiate criminal proceedings.
- Advisories issued to restrict celebrities/influencers from endorsing betting platforms.

What are the Key Concerns of India’s Online Gaming Industry and Suggest Measures to Strengthen It?
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Concerns
|
Measures
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Regulatory Ambiguity – Fragmented state laws; no clear distinction between skill-based gaming and gambling.
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Establishment of a national regulatory body; strengthen self-regulatory bodies (SRBs) for clarity.
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Illegal Gambling & Money Laundering – Offshore sites thriving; risks of terror financing, misuse of remittance routes.
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Collaborate with banks & payment gateways to block illegal transactions; real-time monitoring; global anti-money laundering cooperation.
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Addictive Behaviour – Excessive play leads to stress, financial ruin, suicidal tendencies (23% youth affected).
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Introduce age-gating, spending limits, self-exclusion tools; integrate mental health support; run public awareness campaigns.
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Cyberattacks – Data breaches (11 mn accounts in 2024); risks from VPN/geo-blocker bypass.
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Strengthen cybersecurity with audits, encryption, intrusion detection; comply with data protection norms.
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Financial Risks – Vulnerable users overspend (₹17 lakh PUBG case); Indians lose ₹20,000 cr annually.
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Promote responsible gaming practices; enforce parental controls; ensure consumer protection mechanisms.
|
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Lack of Innovation Support – Limited infrastructure and mentorship for developers.
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Develop dedicated gaming hubs & incubators (models: Montreal, Singapore, South Korea) for innovation and talent growth.
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Drishti Mains Question
Q. Discuss the challenges and regulatory measures needed for the growth of the online gaming industry in India.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)
- Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
- Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
- Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centres.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. (2021)

Exemptions for Mineral Exploration in Forests
13-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News ?
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has approved enhanced exemptions for mineral exploration drilling in forest areas, following requests from the Ministries of Coal and Mines.
Why Have Exemptions Been Provided for Mineral Exploration Drilling in Forest Regions?
- Borehole Limit and Push for Critical Minerals: The Environment Ministry now permits 62 to 80 boreholes per 10 sq km, each up to 6 inches in diameter, for mineral exploration.
- Earlier rules allowed only 25 boreholes per 10 sq km, along with 80 shot holes and felling of up to 100 trees, without requiring forest clearance.
- This expansion aims to tap critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, vital for clean energy and defence.
- Ease of Doing Business: Reduces delays from repeated central clearances for temporary exploration.
- Private Sector Participation: Encourages greater investment and involvement in mineral exploration.
- Economic Growth Support: Minerals are crucial for infrastructure, manufacturing, defence, and green technologies.
- Enables quicker project development, cost efficiency, and higher investment inflows.
What Concerns are Associated with Increased Mineral Exploration Drilling in Forest Regions?
- Environmental and Ecological Concerns:
- Increased drilling activities may cause cumulative environmental impact.
- It can have potential effects on forest flora and fauna despite safeguards.
- Local and regional precipitation patterns may be impacted by forest loss.
- Local Communities and Tribal Rights:
- Potential conflicts with traditional forest dwellers' rights under FRA 2006.
- Safeguarding of religiously and culturally significant forest areas.
- Effects on forest-dependent communities and their traditional occupations.
- Bypass Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Scrutiny:
- In the past, the FCA mandated central government certification for any activity on forest land that wasn't directly connected to conservation of forests.
- There are several issues with mineral exploration being reclassified as a "forest activity.
Critical minerals
- Critical minerals are those essential for a nation’s economic growth and national security, whose limited availability or concentration of reserves/extraction in specific regions creates supply chain vulnerabilities.
- India’s Position: Released a list of 30 critical minerals (e.g., Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Rare Earth Elements, Silicon, Tin, Titanium).
- India is heavily import-dependent for most critical minerals.
- Significance of Critical Minerals:
- Environment & Energy: Key for renewable energy technologies (solar panels, wind turbines, semiconductors).
- Essential in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- National Security: Vital for defence sector – missile systems, aerospace, communication technologies.
- Economic & Electronics: Critical for electric vehicles (EVs) via lithium-ion batteries.
- Required for semiconductors, smartphones, computers, communication devices.
India’s Initiatives for Critical Minerals:
- Policy and Regulatory Framework: National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), aims to identify 1,200 deposits by 2030 to meet rising demand for lithium, cobalt, and other critical minerals, vital for clean energy and EVs.
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023: Enables exploration and mining of critical minerals.
- National Mineral Policy, 2019: Focuses on sustainable mining and exploration.
- Union Budget 2024-25: Removed customs duties on most critical minerals.
- Exploration and Domestic Production:
- Geological Survey of India (GSI): Conducting extensive surveys for lithium, rare earths, and other critical minerals.
- Lithium Discovery (2023): Major reserves identified in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir.
- Strategic Mineral Reserves: Plans to build reserves for lithium, cobalt, and others.
- International Collaborations & Trade Agreements:
- Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), 2019: Joint venture under the Ministry of Mines to secure overseas mineral assets; partnerships with Argentina, Australia, etc.
- Minerals Security Partnership (MSP): India joined the US-led initiative in 2023 to strengthen global supply chains for critical minerals.
What Should be the Sustainable Roadmap for Mineral Exploration in Forests?
- Sustainable Exploration Practices: To Promote non-intrusive technologies such as geophysical surveys, images from satellites, and remote sensing and artificial intelligence based mineral forecasting systems and drone-based mapping techniques.
- Mitigate impact on the environment through decreasing usage on powered drilling.
- Strengthen Environmental Safeguards: Establish strict Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) like No drilling in wetlands ecosystems, areas for reproduction, or critical ecosystems.
- Implement time-specific limitations in place (No drill during the nesting or breeding periods).
- Cluster Mining Approach:
- To utilize resources thorough cluster mining initiatives that include shared environmentally friendly structures for multiple divisions.
- Eco-friendly techniques such as conveying systems, bucket steering digging machines, and systematic landfill control.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: (2019)
- Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country
- State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.
- State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
Q. What is/are the purpose/purposes of ‘District Mineral Foundations’ in India? (2016)
- Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts
- Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations
- Authorizing State Governments to issue licenses for mineral exploration
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Despite India being one of the countries of Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (2021)
Q. “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss. (2017)

India Explores Rare-Earth Deal with Myanmar
13-09-2025
Source:IE
India is collaborating with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Myanmar to secure rare-earth mineral samples, aiming to diversify its supply chain away from China.
- The KIA, founded in 1961, is one of Myanmar’s most influential armed groups. They captured the Chipwe-Pangwa mining belt in Kachin state, which supplies most of the world’s heavy rare earths, including dysprosium and terbium.
What are Rare Earth Minerals?
- About: Rare earths are a group of 17 elements including 15 silvery-white metals called lanthanides, or lanthanoids, plus scandium and yttrium.
- In their periodic table order, they are: scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium.
- They are not rare in the sense that they are uncommon. They tend to be spread thin around the Earth's crust in small quantities and mixed together or with other minerals, so larger deposits are difficult to find and costly to extract.
- Environmental Impact:
- Processing rare earths often involves the use of solvents, which can produce toxic waste that pollutes the soil, water, and atmosphere.
- More environmentally friendly technologies are being developed, but they are not yet widely used.
- Certain types of rare earth ores also contain radioactive thorium or uranium, which is often removed using acid.
- For this reason, development of the sector faces health and environmental regulatory hurdles.
- Use: They are used in a wide range of products including consumer electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), aircraft engines, medical equipment, oil refining, and military applications such as missiles and radar systems.
- Biggest Producer: China accounts for about 60% of global mine production and 90% of processed and permanent magnet output.

What is the Status of India on Rare Earth Elements?
- India has the world’s fifth-largest rare earth reserves, at 6.9 million metric tons, but there is no domestic magnet production. India relies on imported magnets, mainly from China.
- In the fiscal year to March 2025, India imported 53,748 metric tons of rare earth magnets. These are used in automobiles, wind turbines, medical devices and other manufactured goods.
- Rare earth mining is restricted to IREL (a miniratna company), which supplies India’s Atomic Energy Department with materials for nuclear power projects and defence-related applications.
- IREL has a rare earths extraction plant in Odisha and a refining unit in Kerala.
- India is working to build its own processing capacity. IREL has been seeking partnerships with Japanese and Korean companies to manufacture rare earth magnets commercially.
- IREL Limited has been mandated to produce REEs in the form of high pure rare earth oxides from rare earths bearing mineral Monazite in India.
- To reduce India’s import dependency in REEs, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is carrying out exploration to augment resources along the coastal, inland and riverine placer sands of the country.
- India has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025.
- Under the NCMM, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been assigned to carry out 1,200 exploration projects from FY25 to FY31.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: (2019)
- Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country
- State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.
- State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)

Bills to Modernise India’s Maritime Laws
13-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Parliament passed Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 & Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 with the aim to modernise India’s maritime legal framework by replacing outdated colonial-era laws.
What are the Key Provisions of the Recently Passed Maritime Bills?
- Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025:
- It replaced the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, modernizing the legal framework aligned with global cabotage norms.
- It aims to raise coastal cargo to 230 million tonnes by 2030 with simpler licensing and foreign vessel regulation.
- It provides for cutting foreign dependence, boosting supply security, jobs, and ease of business.
- It mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and a National Database to enhance infrastructure planning, transparency, and investor confidence.
- Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025:
- It replaced the outdated Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, aligning India’s maritime laws with International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions for clarity and ease of compliance.
- It aims to enhance sea safety standards, emergency response, environmental protection, and seafarer welfare, while promoting Indian shipping tonnage and India’s global maritime reputation.
- It authorizes the central government to detain vessels without nationality or legal flag rights in Indian waters, boosting maritime security with a future-ready legal framework supporting India’s economic and trade ambitions.
- Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025:
- It replaced the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 and adopted the internationally accepted Hague-Visby Rules (1924) and its amendments, setting a global standard for maritime trade.
- The Hague-Visby Rules, 1924 govern sea carriage of goods, outlining carrier and shipper rights and liability for cargo loss or damage.
- It regulates Bills of Lading, documents detailing goods’ type, quantity, condition, and destination to enhance transparency and shipping efficiency.
- Empowers the Central Government to issue directions and amend rules on Bills of Lading, promoting ease of business and aligning India’s laws with global standards and trade agreements.
What is the State of India’s Maritime Sector?
- State of India’s Maritime Sector: India is the 16th largest maritime nation, handling 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value through 12 major and 200+ minor ports on key global shipping routes.
- Capacity and Fleet Growth: Major ports’ cargo-handling capacity grew by 87% (2014–24) to 1,629.86 million tonnes, with 819.22 million tonnes handled in FY24; the fleet comprises 1,530 registered ships.
- Global Rankings: India ranks 38th in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023, while being the 3rd largest ship recycler globally with around 30% market share, home to the largest ship-breaking yard at Alang.
- Shipbuilding and Policy Initiatives: Despite lagging in shipbuilding, initiatives like the New Shipbuilding and Repair Policy, along with 100% FDI(under the automatic route for port and harbour construction and maintenance projects), tax holidays, and infrastructure upgrades, aim to boost domestic capacity and have helped raise exports to USD 451 billion in FY23.

Government Initiatives in India’s Maritime Sector
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): (2017)
- Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
- IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Q. With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, consider the following statements: (2015)
- It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
- It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Mains:
Q. Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (2018)
Harnessing AI to Shape India’s IT Leadership
13-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Indian IT sector, a USD 280 billion industry employing 5.8 million people, is undergoing a profound shift as Artificial Intelligence transforms service delivery and business operations. This AI-driven disruption has prompted moves like TCS halting experienced hiring and cutting 12,000 jobs, sparking concerns over the future workforce and the evolving nature of IT employment.
What are the Key Applications of AI in the IT Sector?
- Productivity, Automation & Workforce Transformation: AI has increased software development productivity through tools like coding assistants and automated code generation (GitHub Copilot by Microsoft).
- AI automates routine IT tasks, reducing errors and boosting efficiency. For instance, UiPath is a leading robotic process automation (RPA) tool that uses AI to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks.
- Developers are evolving into AI supervisors focusing on strategy, ethics, domain-specific logic, and security.
- McKinsey predicts that by 2030–2060, generative AI could automate about 50% of global work activities.
- Enhanced Cybersecurity & Threat Detection: AI algorithms detect unusual patterns in real-time for early threat identification and prevention. Machine learning models analyze large datasets to predict attacks, while AI-driven systems respond faster than humans, strengthening IT security.
- Darktrace’s “Enterprise Immune System” uses AI to learn normal network behavior and flags unusual activities, like unexpected file transfers or logins from new locations, as potential threats.
- Improved Data Management: AI automates data collection, storage, and analysis of large, unstructured datasets, enabling sectors like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to better understand customer behavior and drive business growth.
- Predictive Maintenance: AI analyzes historical data to forecast hardware and software failures, enabling proactive maintenance that reduces downtime and extends the lifespan of IT infrastructure.
- For instance, Company Splunk uses AI to predict system failures from performance data, enabling proactive maintenance.
What are the Key Challenges in the Indian IT Sector’s AI Adoption Journey?
- Skill Gap & Workforce Displacement: Rapid AI adoption has created a significant skill gap, with urgent need to retrain the workforce in AI tools, data science, cybersecurity, and ethical AI.
- Routine coding, maintenance, and back-office roles face automation risks, leading to potential unemployment and wage stagnation in certain segments.
- A World Economic Forum (WEF) report suggests that AI and automation could displace up to 85 million jobs by 2025.
- Regulatory, Ethical & Security Concerns: Ensuring AI systems are transparent, unbiased, and GDPR-compliant adds operational complexity.
- Protecting data privacy and security is vital as AI processes sensitive data, requiring regular ethical audits and strict accountability.
- India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) sets a framework for data privacy, but its applicability to large-scale data collection and processing for AI model training remains unclear..
- Integration Challenges with Legacy Systems: Many Indian IT firms operate on outdated legacy infrastructure, making AI integration complex, costly, and time-consuming.
- Migrating to AI-ready systems often requires overhauling existing architectures, which disrupts operations and demands substantial investment.
- Global Competition & Infrastructure Gaps: Competition from Philippines, Vietnam, and Eastern Europe in AI challenges India’s cost advantage.
- Limited high-performance computing, advanced research facilities, and AI infrastructure slow innovation, increase reliance on foreign cloud services, and raise data sovereignty concerns.
- Initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission aim to strengthen infrastructure, yet India continues to lag behind global leaders.
How can India's IT Sector Effectively Harness the Potential of Artificial Intelligence?
- Government-Industry Collaboration & Reskilling: The government should partner with the private sector to build AI computing infrastructure, including high-performance GPU data centers.
- It should facilitate access to large, high-quality datasets for AI training, exemplified by platforms like AIKosh under the IndiaAI Mission.
- Nationwide AI skilling missions in AI, machine learning, and advanced software development are essential to align workforce capabilities with industry needs and global ethical standards.
- Driving AI-Led Product Innovation: Indian IT firms should leverage AI to enhance productivity, moving from traditional service-based models to creating proprietary AI-powered enterprise solutions, cloud services, and cybersecurity products.
- For instance, Ola’s AI venture, Krutrim, is developing its own cloud platform.
- Promoting AI Research through PPP: Encourage PPP for AI research, intellectual property creation, and the development of specialized AI hubs.
- The government should prioritize funding deep-tech AI startups that focus on foundational, high-tech solutions.
- A recent allocation of Rs 10,000 crore under the Fund of Funds scheme marks a significant step in this direction.
- Towards Ethical and Explainable AI: Establish robust AI ethics, data privacy, and bias mitigation standards.
- Government policies should incentivize AI R&D, startup growth, and encourage IT firms to become strategic AI solution partners globally.
- Also, promote the use of explainable AI (XAI) to build trust with clients and regulators.
Conclusion
AI is a catalyst for reinvention, not a threat, for the Indian IT sector. The industry must shift from manpower-intensive outsourcing to knowledge-driven, AI-powered innovation. Firms that embrace change, invest in talent transformation, and position themselves as strategic AI partners will shape India’s technological leadership in the coming years. This vision should be a core theme at the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi, 2026.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the impact of AI on the IT sector. What are the opportunities and challenges, and how can India leverage AI for sustainable growth?
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)
- Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
- Create meaningful short stories and songs
- Disease diagnosis
- Text-to-Speech Conversion
- Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b)
Mains:
Q. Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? (2023)
Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) System
12-11-2025
Source:PIB
The Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs inaugurated India’s largest and first megawatt-hour (MWh)-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system with a 3 MWh capacity.
- This marks a key milestone in advancing long-duration energy storage (LDES) to strengthen renewable energy integration and grid resilience.
- Vanadium Redox Flow Battery: It is a type of electrochemical energy storage system that uses vanadium ions in different oxidation states to store and release electrical energy through redox (reduction–oxidation) reactions.
- Unlike conventional batteries, a VRFB stores energy in liquid electrolytes kept in external tanks, making it modular and easily scalable.
- Its energy capacity depends on the volume of the electrolyte, while the power output is determined by the size of the cell stack, allowing both to be scaled independently.
- VRFBs Advantages: VRFBs are scalable, long-lasting, and efficient, offering fast response, deep discharge, and high safety with non-flammable, recyclable vanadium electrolytes for sustainable energy storage.
- VRFBs Importance for Renewable Integration: Renewable sources like solar and wind generate power intermittently, depending on weather conditions.
- VRFBs store excess solar and wind energy, provide long-duration storage, and enhance grid stability by balancing supply and demand during intermittent generation.
- VRFB reduces dependence on imported lithium-ion batteries, strengthens energy security in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
MITRA SHAKTI-2025
12-11-2025
Source: PIB
The 11th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025, a joint military drill between India and Sri Lanka, was held at Belagavi, Karnataka, to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance interoperability in counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations.
- Exercise MITRA SHAKTI: It is an annual joint training exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan Armies, conducted alternatively in both countries since 2012.
- Sub-Conventional and Joint Counter-Terrorist Operations: The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Mandate (deals with action concerning threats to peace, breaches of peace, and acts of aggression).
India-Sri Lanka Defence and Security Cooperation
- Sri Lanka is vital to India’s ‘MAHASAGAR Vision’ because of its strategic location near key Indian Ocean shipping lanes.
- Joint Military Exercises: Exercise MITRA SHAKTI (Army) and SLINEX (Naval) held alternatively in India and Sri Lanka every year.
- Humanitarian and Environmental Assistance: India has been the “first responder” during maritime emergencies in Sri Lankan waters.
- Capacity Building Initiatives: Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) for the Sri Lanka Navy, set up under a Government of India grant, commissioned in 2024.

Gati Shakti Transport Planning and Research Organisation (GTPRO)
12-11-2025
Source: ET
Why in News?
The Central Government is planning to restructure the PM Gati Shakti governance framework by dissolving the existing Network Planning Group (NPG) and establishing a new high-level body, the Gati Shakti Transport Planning and Research Organisation (GTPRO).
- The NPG, established under DPIIT to coordinate inter-ministerial projects within the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, faced several internal challenges.
What is GatiShakti Transport Planning and Research Organisation(GTPRO)?
- About: The Integrated Transport Planning Authority, likely named Gati Shakti Transport Planning and Research Organisation (GTPRO), will create medium- to long-term roadmaps for each transport ministry, including roads, railways, shipping, and aviation.
- It will develop integrated 5- and 10-year plans, aligning with India’s goal to create world-class infrastructure and become a developed nation by 2047.
- Structure: Headed by a Cabinet Secretary.
- Functions:
- Project Appraisal: Review and approve transport sector projects valued above ₹500 crore.
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Track project progress and assess economic and environmental outcomes.
- Data Repository: Maintain a unified national database to support future infrastructure planning.
- Policy Research: Recommend strategies to lower logistics costs and improve operational efficiency.
- Institutional Model: Inspired by unified transport planning bodies in the US, UK, and Germany, GTPRO will function as an integrated think tank for infrastructure strategy and research.
- Implementation Timeline: Expected to be operational from the next financial year.

PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP)
- The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) is the digital command centre for infrastructure planning in India.
- Built on a GIS-based platform, it hosts over 550 layers of live data, including economic clusters, logistics hubs, forests, rivers, and social infrastructure.
- As of 2025, the entire 1.46 lakh km National Highway network has been mapped onto the NMP portal.
- This enables geo-intelligent planning, reducing project delays, environmental conflicts, and cost overruns.
India’s Initiatives for New-Age Highways
- India’s Standing: India has the second-largest road network in the world, spanning over 63 lakh km as of March 2025, with National Highways expanding by 60% from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km in 2025.

- FASTag & NETC Ecosystem: Developed by NPCI, the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) ensures seamless toll payments via FASTag — an RFID-based system with over 98% coverage with 8 crore users.
- MLFF Tolling System (2025): First Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll launched at Choryasi Fee Plaza, Gujarat — a camera and RFID-based tolling system that reads vehicles in motion.
- Rajmargyatra: The Rajmargyatra app, launched by the Government, is a citizen-centric mobile platform for highway travellers.
- NHAI One App: The NHAI One app unifies project operations and uses real-time geo-tracking to enhance efficiency and transparency across highways.
- Technology Driving Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS): ITS integrates ATMS and V2X technologies, deployed on key corridors such as Delhi–Meerut, Trans-Haryana, Eastern Peripheral, and Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. What is GTPRO and why is it being established?
GTPRO (GatiShakti Transport Planning and Research Organisation) will replace the Network Planning Group to provide unified, long-term infrastructure planning and project appraisal across all transport ministries.
Q2. How does PM Gati Shakti’s GIS-based platform improve project planning?
It integrates 550+ layers of real-time data, enabling faster, environmentally sensitive, and more efficient transport planning.
Q3. What role do apps like Rajmargyatra and NHAI One play in transport modernization?
They provide real-time data, user feedback, and operational monitoring, promoting citizen engagement and digital governance.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q1. In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of : (2020)
(a) Digital security infrastructure
(b) Food security infrastructure
(c) Health care and education infrastructure
(d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure
Ans: (a)
Mains:
Q. National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) emphasises on ‘moving people’ instead of ‘moving vehicles’. Discuss critically the success of the various strategies of the Government in this regard. (2014)
Isobutanol Blending with Diesel
12-09-2025
Source: TH
India is now exploring isobutanol blending with diesel after unsuccessful ethanol-diesel trials, highlighting the government’s push for biofuels to support farmers, reduce oil imports, and ensure sustainable energy use.
- Isobutanol: It is a four-carbon alcohol (C₄H₁₀O), flammable, colorless, and traditionally used as a solvent in paints, coatings, and chemical industries. It is produced both from petrochemical processes and fermentation of biomass.
- Properties (vs. Ethanol): Higher energy density than ethanol (closer to diesel).
- It has lower hygroscopicity (absorbs less water than ethanol), reducing risks of corrosion in engines and pipelines.
- Isobutanol Blending Trials: Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is testing 10% isobutanol–diesel blends.
- Isobutanol is also being explored as an independent fuel and in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-isobutanol flex-fuel options for tractors and agri-machinery.
- Benefits for India: Isobutanol enhances energy security while promoting a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Supports India’s National Biofuel Policy (2018) goals of energy transition and farmer income support.
Black Aspergillus in Western Ghats
12-09-2025
Source: PIB
Scientists have discovered two new species of black aspergillus (Aspergillus dhakephalkarii and Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae), from the Western Ghats, marking India’s first study in this group using advanced polyphasic taxonomy.
- The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biodiversity.
Black Aspergillus
- It comprises a diverse group of filamentous fungi that are ubiquitously distributed across various ecological niches and are of considerable medical, industrial, and ecological significance.
- Also known as ‘workhorses of industrial application’ especially in citric acid production, food mycology, fermentation technology, and agriculture.
World’s 8 ‘Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots
- There are 8 recognized “hottest hotspots” due to their exceptional species richness and endemism.
- Madagascar – 90% of wildlife found nowhere else else on Earth; home to lemurs, chameleons, baobab trees.
- Philippines – Over 52,000 species; rich rainforests, coral reefs, and mangroves; includes Philippine eagle, tarsier.
- Sundaland (SE Asia) – Oldest tropical rainforests; orangutan, Sumatran tiger, pygmy elephant.
- Brazil’s Atlantic Forests – Only ~12% remains; golden lion tamarin, sloth, diverse plants.
- Caribbean Islands – 7,000+ islands; tropical forests, reefs, mangroves; unique birds, reptiles, amphibians.
- Indo-Burma Region – NE India to Vietnam; saola, highly endangered.
- Western Ghats & Sri Lanka – Endemics like lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, Sri Lankan leopard.
- Eastern Arc & Coastal Forests (Tanzania & Kenya) – Ancient forests, endemic owls, colobus monkeys, unique plants.

Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of GM Crops
12-07-2025
For Prelims: Genetically modified (GM) Mustard, Genetically Modified crops, Bt cotton, Drought-tolerant maize varieties, Golden Rice, C4 rice, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, Environment Protection Act,1986, Intellectual Property Rights
For Mains: Regulatory Framework for GM Crops in India, Benefits and Issues Related to GM Crops
Source: FE
Why in News?
Amid ongoing trade negotiations, the US is pushing India to open its agriculture market to genetically modified (GM) crops. However, India has firmly stated that agriculture and dairy are 'sacrosanct red lines,' warning that allowing GM crop imports could threaten farmers' livelihoods and food safety.
What are Genetically Modified (GM) Crops?
- About: Genetically Modified (GM) crops are plants whose DNA is altered using modern genetic engineering technology to introduce or enhance desirable traits such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, or nutritional enhancement.
- Global Adoption: GM crops were first commercialized in the USA in 1994 with the Flavr Savr tomato, engineered to delay ripening.
- As per the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), by 2019, over 17 million farmers across 29 countries cultivated more than 190 million hectares of GM crops.
- Regulatory Framework in India: GM crops in India are regulated under the "Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells" (Rules, 1989) under the Environment Protection Act,1986
- It provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for all activities involving GMOs, covering research and large-scale use, including manufacture, import, storage, sale, and export.
- They apply to genetically engineered organisms, related products, food items, and extend to new gene technologies like cell hybridization and genetic engineering, forming the basis of India’s biosafety regime.


What is the Status of GM Crop Adoption in India?
- Approved GM Crop: Bt cotton is the only genetically modified crop approved for commercial cultivation in India (since 2002). It now covers over 90% of India’s cotton area, around 12 million hectares.
- Bt cotton led to a 193% increase in production between 2002 and 2014, making India the second-largest global cotton exporter by 2011–12.
- It also contributed to higher farmer incomes and reduced pesticide use.
- Since 2015, cotton yields have declined from 566 kg/ha (2013–14) to around 436 kg/ha (2023–24).
- India now lags behind China and Brazil, with pest resurgence and absence of updated GM traits cited as key reasons.
- Pending GM Crop Approvals:
- Bt Brinjal: Approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in 2009, but placed under an ongoing moratorium due to public and political concerns.
- HT-Bt Cotton (Herbicide Tolerant): It is a herbicide-tolerant GM variant, is not approved for commercial use in India but is illegally cultivated in several states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. It is estimated to cover 15–25% of total cotton acreage.
- GM Mustard (DMH-11): Granted environmental clearance in 2022, but its commercial release is on hold pending Supreme Court and regulatory approvals.
- Other Crops: GM variants of chickpea, pigeonpea, and sugarcane are at different stages of research, field trials, and regulatory deliberation.
What are the Key Benefits of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops?
- Enhanced Pest & Disease Resistance: GM crops like Bt cotton produce their own insecticides, effectively controlling pests like bollworms.
- Reduced pesticide use lowers costs, improves yields, and minimizes environmental harm, especially in pest-prone regions.
- Climate Resilience & Resource Efficiency: GM crops are developed to withstand drought, salinity, and heat, making them vital in the context of climate change.
- For instance, drought-tolerant maize in Kenya has improved yields in dry seasons.
- Additionally, GM crops like C4 rice and nitrogen-efficient variants aim to maximize output while using less water, fertilizer, and land.
- Nutritional Enhancement (Biofortification): GM technology enables the development of crops fortified with essential nutrients, addressing hidden hunger.
- Eg: Golden Rice (beta-carotene for Vitamin A), iron-rich rice, and zinc-enhanced wheat, targeting malnutrition in countries with limited dietary diversity and poor access to micronutrients.
- Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: GM crops with extended shelf life ( Flavr Savr tomato) help reduce post-harvest losses, especially in regions lacking refrigeration and cold storage.
- Herbicide-tolerant crops enable no-till farming, reducing soil erosion, carbon emissions, and preserving ecosystem health by minimizing pesticide use.
- Innovations in Medicine & Environmental Cleanup: GM crops are being researched for biopharming i.e producing vaccines and therapeutic compounds in plants like bananas and potatoes, potentially lowering healthcare costs and increasing access.
- Moreover, phytoremediation (use of plants to clean up environmental pollutants) using GM plants such as modified poplars helps absorb heavy metals and toxins.
What are the Key Challenges in GM Crop Adoption in India?
- Environmental and Health Concerns: GM crops may cause gene flow to wild species, leading to herbicide-resistant superweeds, while Bt crops can harm non-target insects and reduce biodiversity through monoculture.
- Health concerns include potential allergens, nutritional changes, and long-term safety highlighted by the StarLink corn incident (2000), where animal-feed-only GM corn entered the human food chain.
- Regulatory and Policy Constraints: India’s GM crop approvals are delayed due to regulatory opacity, prolonged moratoriums, and political hesitancy, even for scientifically cleared crops like Bt brinjal and GM mustard.
- Policies such as the Cotton Seed Price Control Order (2015) and mandatory tech transfer provisions have discouraged private R&D, hindering biotech innovation.
- Socio-Economic and Ethical Issues: There are concerns over market concentration, seed dependence, and high input costs for small farmers.
- Ethical issues such as “playing God”, food sovereignty, and community rights challenge public acceptance.
- Cases like Monsanto’s (US-based agricultural biotech company) enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights over GM seeds has led to global disputes over trait fees, seed sovereignty, and patentability, in India, the US and Canada.
- Coexistence, Contamination, and Illegal Cultivation: Coexistence of GM and non-GM crops poses challenges due to cross-pollination, risking organic certification and market access (Oregon GM wheat case, 2013).
- In India, HT-Bt cotton is illegally cultivated on up to 25% of cotton acreage, leading to biosafety risks and a black market for unregulated seeds.
- Resistance Development & Global Competitiveness: Overuse of GM traits has triggered pest and weed resistance, diminishing the effectiveness of Bt cotton and glyphosate-tolerant crops, requiring constant innovation.
- India’s declining cotton exports and turning net importer in 2024–25 signal a loss of global competitiveness due to delayed GM adoption and innovation stagnation.
What Measures Should be Taken for Responsible Adoption of GM Crops in India?
- Transparent, Science-Based Regulation: India should restructure its GM crop approval process to be time-bound, evidence-based, and managed by an independent authority with multi-stakeholder input.
- Ensure transparent field trials with public data access and independent oversight, along with long-term impact studies and regular ecological reviews to address biosafety and biodiversity.
- Strengthen PPP & Indigenous R&D: Promote collaborative biotech research through a Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) framework that balances innovation with public interest. Reform disincentives like the Cotton Seed Price Control Order (2015) and mandatory tech transfer norms.
- Support development of region-specific GM crops suited to Indian conditions and nutrition needs, with clear IPR-sharing mechanisms and increased funding for biofortified crop R&D.
- Inclusive and Responsible GM Crop Governance: Adopt farmer-centric policies ensuring access to quality seeds, training, insurance, and participation in decision-making, while preventing seed monopolies and preserving indigenous varieties through a national gene bank.
- Ensure coexistence of GM and non-GM crops via buffer zones and isolation distances, and implement robust GM labeling, public awareness, and strict enforcement against illegal cultivation.
- Global Standards & Nutrition Focus: Engage in international forums to harmonize biosafety norms and trade regulations. Prioritize biofortified GM crops like Golden Rice, iron-rich pulses, and zinc-enriched wheat to address micronutrient deficiencies. Launch pilot programs with health experts to demonstrate tangible health benefits.
Conclusion
India’s GM crop journey, marked by the success of Bt cotton and a prolonged policy deadlock reflects the tension between scientific potential and regulatory hesitation. In the face of climate challenges, nutritional deficiencies, and trade vulnerabilities, a science-driven, farmer-focused, and innovation-enabling approach is essential. As former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee rightly said, “What IT is to India, BT is to Bharat”, a vision that must now be translated into action.
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Drishti Mains Question
How can genetically modified crops contribute to India’s food and nutritional security amid climate change and growing population? Evaluate the potential and risks associated with their widespread adoption.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q1. Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (2012)
- To enable them to withstand drought
- To increase the nutritive value of the produce
- To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations
- To increase their shelf life
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (c)
Q2. Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of (2021)
(a) clonal propagation of crop plants
(b) developing genetically modified crop plants
(c) production of plant growth substances
(d) production of biofertilizers
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers? (2019)
World Population Day 2025 and India's Youth
12-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
World Population Day, observed on 11th July, was established by the UN in 1989 to raise awareness about population issues and reproductive health rights.
- The theme for World Population Day 2025 is “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” which focuses on empowering youth to make informed choices about sexual and reproductive health.
What is the Status of Youth in India?
- Youth Demographic Profile: According to UNICEF, India has the world’s largest youth population, with 371 million people in the 15 to 29 age group.
- As per the Technical Group on Population Projections (2021), youth (15–29 years) accounted for 27.2% of the population in 2021, but are projected to decline to 22.7% by 2036.
- Demographic Significance: A large youth population enhances workforce participation and reduces dependency ratios, creating a demographic dividend for growth.
- Policy & Governance: Department of Youth Affairs, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is the nodal agency for youth-related policies and programs.
- Its twin objectives are personality development and nation-building.
- Evolution of Youth Policy:
- National Youth Policy, 1988: It was India’s first structured youth policy, stressing their role in national development and focusing on personality and skill development.
- National Youth Policy 2003: The National Youth Policy 2003, replacing the 1988 policy, defined youth as 13–35 years and aimed to promote patriotism, social justice, and national integration.
- National Youth Policy 2014: National Youth Policy 2014 replaced the 2003 policy, defines youth as 15–29 years, and envisions empowering them to realize their full potential and enable India to excel on the global stage. It outlined 5 key objectives and 11 priority areas.
- National Youth Policy 2024: The Government has updated the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014 and released a draft for NYP 2024, outlining a 10-year vision for youth development aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key highlights are:
- Roadmap to achieve youth development goals by 2030.
- Alignment with NEP 2020 to enhance career and life skills.
- Promotion of leadership, volunteering, and technology-driven empowerment.
- Focus on mental and reproductive health, sports, and fitness.
- Commitment to safety, justice, and support for marginalized youth.
What Opportunities Does India's Youth Population Present?
- Demographic Dividend Advantage: A youth-dominated population leads to a lower dependency ratio and more economically active citizens, which can boost GDP growth and per capita income.
- According to the World Bank and NITI Aayog, tapping this potential could add up to USD 1 trillion to India’s GDP by 2030.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Driven by young entrepreneurs, India’s startup ecosystem has flourished, with the Startup India initiative playing a key role in promoting a youth-led culture of innovation.
- Global Workforce Advantage: India’s youth workforce can address global talent shortages in sectors like tech, healthcare, and engineering, while competitive labor costs position the country as a prime hub for manufacturing and services.
- E.g., Facing an ageing population, Germany and Japan are turning to India to fill its labour gap with skilled workers.
- Social & Cultural Influence: Indian youth are challenging stereotypes, advancing gender equality, and leading social change, while also expanding India’s soft power globally through films, music, and digital content.
- E.g., Youth-led movements like Pinjra Tod (Break the Cage) fight for women’s rights and freedom.
- Strengthening Democracy: Engaging youth through initiatives like the National Service Scheme (NSS) fosters civic awareness, leadership, and strengthens democratic accountability.
- E..g, Through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Prime Minister mobilized youth as key drivers of cleanliness, behavioural change, and community leadership.
What are the Key Challenges Faced by Youth in India?
- Sexual & Reproductive Health Issues: India faces a high rate of unintended pregnancies (36%) and unmet reproductive goals (30%), with 23% experiencing both.
- Though child marriage has declined, it still exists at 23.3% nationally (NFHS-5).
- Gender Inequality: Patriarchal norms limit young women's autonomy in education, employment, and decision-making, with many lacking access to gender-sensitive workplaces, skills training, and financial independence.
- Mental Health Crisis: Youth are facing a mental health crisis marked by increasing stress, anxiety, and depression, along with a lack of accessible support and persistent stigma.
- In 2020-22, India recorded over 60,700 deaths due to suicide in the 15–29 age group, the highest in the world.
- Employment Crisis: A skill mismatch between education and job market needs has led to rising unemployment among educated youth, while many are forced into unstable gig economy jobs with limited benefits.
- Substance Abuse: Youth are increasingly vulnerable to drug addiction, driven by peer pressure and stress, with a lack of adequate rehabilitation facilities worsening the issue.
Government’s Initiatives Related to Youth
What Steps Should Be Taken to Empower Youth in India?
- Education Revolution: Promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving by overhauling rote learning under the National Education Policy 2020, ensure digital literacy, and integrate vocational training into school curricula.
- Job-Linked Skill Development: Encourage apprenticeship opportunities in large companies under PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), launch upskilling missions in emerging sectors, and promote youth entrepreneurship through financial support.
- Healthcare Access: Establish accessible mental health support, ensure nutrition security through fortified meals, and enhance reproductive health services with free contraceptives in rural areas.
- Sports & Arts Infrastructure: Expand sports and arts infrastructure by strengthening rural training facilities, offering financial support to young artists, and promoting international cultural exchange programs for talented youth.
- Digital Empowerment: Bridge the digital divide by expanding internet access, building youth digital skills, and strengthening Digital India for inclusive digital growth.
Conclusion
India’s youth, the world’s largest, offer a transformative demographic dividend. To harness this potential, India must address challenges like unemployment, mental health, and gender gaps while boosting education, skills, and innovation. Strategic policies and inclusive growth can empower youth to drive India’s global rise, ensuring sustainable development and equitable progress.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the challenges faced by India’s youth in realizing their full potential. Suggest measures to convert these challenges into opportunities.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Disguised unemployment generally means (2013)
(a) large number of people remain unemployed
(b) alternative employment is not available
(c) marginal productivity of labour is zero
(d) productivity of workers is low
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. (2023)
Q. The nature of economic growth in India in recent times is often described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favor of your answer. (2015)
Initiatives Driving the Agricultural Growth in India
12-07-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
At the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, highlighted major initiatives driving agricultural growth in India, focusing on soil health, credit access, digital innovation, and global trade.
What are the Initiatives Driving the Agricultural Growth in India?
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) Enhancements: MSP for several crops has seen significant increases, with pulses and oilseeds witnessing up to 98% higher MSP, directly benefiting farmers by ensuring remunerative prices for their produce.
- This policy aims to reduce farmers' vulnerabilities to market fluctuations and provide a financial cushion for their efforts.
- Soil Health Cards: Over 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed. SHCs provide farmers with vital information on the health of their soil, guiding them on the type and amount of fertilisers to use, thereby improving crop yield and reducing over-reliance on harmful chemicals.
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Ensures wider access to crop loans and agricultural credit, supporting timely inputs and farm activities.
- As of 2024, there are 7.75 crore active KCC accounts with Rs 9.81 lakh crore in outstanding loans. Additionally, 1.24 lakh KCCs have been issued for fisheries and 44.4 lakh for animal husbandry activities.
- PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi: It is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India. Under the scheme an income support of 6,000/- per year in three equal installments will be provided to all land holding farmer families.
- The fund will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
- As of 2024, 11.8 crore farmers have received financial assistance, making it one of the world’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes.
- e-NAM Integration: 1,400 mandis have been linked with the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to improve transparency and price realisation.
- Fertiliser Subsidies: The Indian government budgeted over Rs 1.67 lakh crore– nearly 70% of India's agriculture budget–for fertiliser subsidy for the financial year 2025-26. Fertiliser subsidies are nearly 40% of India's total subsidy spending.
- Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): India’s FTAs with Australia, UAE, EFTA nations, and the UK have opened up new international markets for Indian agri-products.
- Digital Agriculture: Emphasis on AI, geospatial tech, weather forecasting, and vertical farming to modernize the farm sector.
- The Digital Agriculture Mission, approved in 2024, aims to build a farmer-centric digital ecosystem. It includes key components like AgriStack, which digitizes farmers' data, land, and crop details to ensure access to services like credit and insurance.
- Support to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs): The “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs” scheme, launched in 2020, aims to empower small and marginal farmers by collectivising them for better market access, reduced input costs, and improved incomes.
- As of February 2025, around 30 lakh farmers (40% women) have joined FPOs.
- FPOs are supported by multiple ministries including Agriculture, and Food Processing. A dedicated Credit Guarantee Fund ensures improved credit access, enhancing the viability of FPOs and boosting rural entrepreneurship.
- Agri-Exports and Value Addition: India’s agriculture and fisheries exports have reached Rs 4.5 lakh crore and hold the potential to scale up to Rs 20 lakh crore.
- Infrastructure and Irrigation: Investments in warehousing, cold chains, drip irrigation, and organic/natural farming practices are being scaled up.
- The Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, has been expanded to strengthen agrarian infrastructure through broader project eligibility, including viable community farming assets, integrated processing projects, and convergence with PM-KUSUM to promote clean energy.
- From 2015-2025, 96.97 lakh ha has been covered under micro irrigation through Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme, which includes 46.37 lakh ha under drip irrigation and 50.60 lakh ha under sprinkler irrigation.
India’s Agricultural Growth
- The agriculture & allied sector grew at 5% annually (FY17–FY23), with gross value added (GVA) share rising from 24.38% (2014-15) to 30.23% (2022-23). Agriculture income rose by 5.23% annually over the last decade.
- In FY24, India’s agri-food exports reached USD 46.44 billion (11.7% of total exports). The share of processed food rose from 14.9% in FY18 to 23.4% in FY24, highlighting growing value addition.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Critically assess India's integrated approach towards agricultural growth and increasing the farmers’ income.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)
Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). (2016)
Revival of Lotus in Wular Lake
12-07-2025
Source: IE
After three decades of ecological dormancy caused by the 1992 flood, lotus flowers have once again begun blooming in Kashmir’s Wular Lake due to focused conservation efforts led by Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA).
- Lotus stems (locally called Nadru) couldn’t grow since 1992 as seeds were buried under heavy silt, but the rhizomes (creeping root stalks) survived deep below and sprouted once the silt was removed.
Wular Lake
- About: It is the largest freshwater lake in India and the second largest in Asia (after Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia), located between Bandipora and Sopore in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Geography: It is located at the foothills of the Haramuk Mountain and is fed by the Jhelum River along with 25 other streams that feed it.
- It has a small island in its centre called the Zaina Lank, constructed by Zainul-Abi-Din, 8th sultan of Kashmir.
- Ecological Importance: In 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
- Geology: The basin of the lake was formed due to tectonic activity. It is also believed to be a remnant of the ancient Satisar Lake.
- Avian Fauna: Wular Lake is home to 56 bird species, 39 fish species, and over 20 types of plants.
- Notable migratory bird species found here include the White-bellied Heron, Pink-headed Duck, Baer’s Pochard, and the Kashmir Catfish.
Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera)
- The lotus is a perennial plant with bowl-shaped flowers that have petals with an 8 to 12 inch diameter.
- It is an aquatic plant that thrives in nutrient-rich, murky conditions.
- It comes in shades of pink hues, yellow or white.
- It is recognised as the national flower of India. The lotus is a recurring motif of Hindu and Buddhist religions.

INS Nistar
12-07-2025
Source: PIB
The Indian Navy has inducted INS Nistar, its first indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), delivered by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
- A DSV is a specialized naval ship designed for underwater operations, including diver deployment, rescue missions, and submarine crew recovery.

INS Nistar
- Technical Specifications: It measures approximately 120 metres in length with a displacement of around 10,000 tonnes.
- It has an endurance of over 60 days at sea, is capable of supporting helicopter operations, and is equipped with a 15-tonne subsea crane to facilitate deep-sea recovery missions.
- Operational Capabilities: INS Nistar functions as the Mother Ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSRV) for submarine rescue, features a Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) for precise station-keeping, Side-Scan SONAR for seabed mapping, and supports search, recovery, diving, and salvage operations.
- Upon commissioning, the vessel will be inducted into the Eastern Naval Command to enhance capabilities in deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations.
- The Indian Navy is organized into 3 major commands: Western, Eastern, and Southern Naval Commands.
- Legacy and Significance: INS Nistar continues the legacy of the original vessel acquired from the USSR in 1969 (decommissioned in 1989), significantly enhancing India’s submarine rescue capability, reinforcing strategic maritime autonomy, and strengthening India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which supports India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
SEBI Flags Digital Gold Risks
11-11-2025
Source: ET
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a strong advisory cautioning investors against investing in unregulated digital gold/e-gold products, highlighting their high risks and lack of investor protection.
- Key Risks Highlighted by SEBI:
- Unregulated Nature: Digital gold is not classified or regulated as a security or commodity derivative and lacks the investor protection mechanisms available for SEBI-approved products.
- Counterparty Risk: Investors rely entirely on the issuer, creating a high risk of default on physical gold or cash delivery.
- No Investor Protection: Market safeguards like insurance, grievance redressal, and guaranteed settlements do not apply, leaving investors without formal recourse.
- Digital gold: It refers to buying gold electronically without physical possession, with its price linked to physical gold. Created using blockchain technology, it allows investors to buy, sell, and store gold online.
- It is easy to access, can be sold quickly in emergencies, and allows investment with small amounts.
- It removes storage hassles and can be converted into physical gold like coins, bars, or jewellery when needed.
- Safer Alternatives: SEBI advises investors to use regulated gold investment options such as Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs), Gold exchange-traded fund (ETF), Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs), and commodity derivatives.
- They offer regulatory oversight under SEBI, eliminate counterparty risk through guaranteed clearing, ensure transparent price discovery, and provide investor protection within SEBI’s framework.
Empowering Framers through Skill Development
11-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
With two-thirds of India’s population dependent on agriculture, empowering farmers through skill development has become a priority. The government is prioritizing skill development to boost farmers' productivity and ensure sustainable growth.
What are the Key Initiatives Focusing on Agricultural Skill Development?
- Institutional Platforms for Farmer Training:
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): ICAR-established district-level KVKs providing hands-on training; trained 58.02 lakh farmers (2021–2024) and 18.56 lakh till February 2025.
- Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA): ATMA promotes decentralised extension reforms; trained 1.27 crore farmers (2021–2025) through state-led training, demonstrations, and exposure visits.
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- Skilling Rural Youth and Promoting Mechanisation:
- Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY): Provides short-term vocational training in allied sectors; 43,000 youth trained (2021–2024), building skilled rural manpower.
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM): SMAM promotes farm mechanisation and custom hiring services; trained 57,139 farmers (2021–2025).
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- Strengthening Knowledge on Soil, Resources, and Value Chains:
- Soil Health Card Scheme: Distributed 25.17 crore cards (as of July 2025); conducted 93,000+ training and 6.8 lakh demonstrations, promoting balanced nutrient management.
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Over 10,000 registered, offering training on agri-business, market linkages, and use of digital platforms like e-NAM and GeM.
- Sector-Specific Skilling Initiatives:
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0) enhances farmers’ employability through large-scale agricultural skill training and certification.
- It integrates agriculture skills, training 1.64 crore and certifying 1.29 crore individuals since 2015.
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) promotes scientific horticulture practices for improved productivity and income.
- The mission trained 9.73 lakh farmers (2014–2024) in horticulture practices.
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) focuses on improving livestock quality through training in breeding and artificial insemination.
- It trained 38,736 technicians in artificial insemination and livestock breeding.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) strengthens the agro-processing sector to reduce wastage and increase farmers’ income.
- The scheme approved 1,601 agro-processing projects, benefiting 34 lakh farmers.
Agriculture Related Findings (Economic Survey 2024-25)
- Agricultural Growth: Agriculture sector grew at 5% annually (2016-23), with GVA share rising from 24.38% (2014-15) to 30.23% (2022-23).
- Agricultural income has grown at 5.23% annually over the past decade.
- Sectoral Performance: The fisheries sector had the highest growth rate (13.67%), followed by livestock (12.99%) between 2013-14 and 2022-23, while oilseeds grew slowly at 1.9%.
- Irrigation Coverage: It increased from 49.3% (2015-16) to 55% (2020-21) of Gross Cropped Area (GCA), while irrigation intensity rose from 144.2% to 154.5%.
- Punjab (98%), Haryana (94%), Uttar Pradesh (84%), and Telangana (86%) have high irrigation coverage, while Jharkhand and Assam have below 20%.
- GCA is the total land cultivated in an agricultural year, including multiple cropping cycles on the same land.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Empowering farmers through skill development and training is vital for transforming Indian agriculture from subsistence to enterprise-driven growth. Discuss.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1.What is the Soil Health Card Scheme?
Provides farmers with detailed soil nutrient status reports and fertilizer recommendations to improve crop productivity and soil health.
Q2. What are the main institutional platforms and schemes for agricultural skill development in India?
VKS (Village Knowledge Centres), ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency), PMKVY 4.0 (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0), and PMKSY — key schemes training millions in modern farming and agri-entrepreneurship.
Q3.What opportunities do mechanisation and rural skilling create for farmers and youth?
SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) and STRY (Skill Training of Rural Youth) promote mechanisation and vocational skills, enabling rural employment and productivity gains.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)
- The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
- The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
- The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Q. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)
- Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
- Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
- Social Capital development
- Free electricity supply to farmers
- Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
- Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Ans: (c)
Mains:
Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). (2016)
Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)
Reorienting India’s Private Capital Expenditure
11-10-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Rising global tariffs and fluctuating external demand underscore the need to prioritize domestic markets for economic stability, thereby shifting the focus towards Indian private sector capital expenditure (Capex).
Capital Expenditure (Capex)
- About: It refers to funds spent on acquiring, upgrading, or maintaining physical assets like property, equipment, or technology. It’s a long-term investment recorded as an asset and depreciates over time. Examples include machinery purchases and facility upgrades.
- Unlike Operating expenses (Opex), which are the day-to-day costs of running a business, Capex involves substantial investments intended to generate long-term benefits.
- The Indian government allocates capex through its annual budget, presented by the Finance Minister.
- Capex Expenditure of Rs 11.21 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP) earmarked in FY2025-26.
- Significance: Capex plays a vital role in economic growth due to its high multiplier effect. It boosts ancillary industries, creates jobs, and enhances labour productivity.
- As a countercyclical fiscal tool, Capex stabilizes the economy and supports long-term revenue generation through asset creation.
- It also helps reduce liabilities via loan repayments and catalyses private investment, making it crucial for sustained economic development.
Evolution of Domestic Capex in India
- Pre-liberalisation: Businesses thrived under inward-looking policies and protected domestic markets, earning supernormal profits.
- Post-liberalisation (1990s): Accumulated wealth enabled Indian firms to expand globally, acquire foreign entities, and build multinational operations.
- Present context: External demand shocks, driven by rising tariff barriers, are prompting closer government-business collaboration to sustain economic growth, as existing public investments and policy reforms fall short.
What are the Trends in Private Sector Capital Expenditure in India?
- Overall Growth in Capex: Private sector capital expenditure (capex) increased by 66.3% between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25, but is expected to decline by 25.5% in FY 2025-26.
- Nature of Investments: In FY25, around 49.6% of enterprises invested for income generation, 30.1% for upgradation, and 2.8% for diversification.
- Sectoral Distribution: The manufacturing sector accounted for the largest share at 43.8%, followed by information and communication at 15.6%, and transportation and storage at 14%
- Rise in Gross Fixed Assets (GFA): The average Gross Fixed Assets (GFA) per enterprise in the private corporate sector grew by 27.5% between 2022–23 and 2023–24.
What Role can Domestic Capital Expenditure Play in Sustaining India's Growth?
- Boosting Private Investment: With India’s outward FDI growing at 12.6% CAGR, far above the global average (3.9%), Indian firms can channel more funds into domestic opportunities to strengthen the home economy.
- Indian companies should utilize their record-high corporate profits to expand private investment and capex, aligning with government incentives.
- Ensuring Moderate Wage Growth: Indian businesses have potential to address stagnant wages despite 15-year-high corporate profits (2023–24) to curb income inequality.
- As real wage growth is projected to dip from 7% (FY25) to 6.5% (FY26), companies need to reduce contractualisation and empower workers in formal sectors, especially manufacturing, to sustain a healthy growth cycle.
- Investing in R&D: Indian firms should raise their Research and development (R&D) expenditure, currently just 0.64% of GDP, compared to China’s 2.1%.
- With the private sector contributing only 36% to total R&D—far below the around 70% seen in the US, China, and South Korea—businesses must shift focus from short-term returns to fundamental research, essential for long-term productivity gains.
How can Private Sector Capital Expenditure be Enhanced?
- Strengthen Institutional Mechanisms and Credit Support: Revamp the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to ensure faster approvals for large private investments.
- Expand the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for MSMEs and extend similar support to mid-sized manufacturers.
- Utilize the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to encourage early-stage industrial and tech investments.
- Expand Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes: Introduce PLI schemes for sectors like defense manufacturing and precision engineering.
- Improve transparency and timeliness in PLI disbursements to build investor confidence.
- Improve Tax and Regulatory Framework: Reintroduce or enhance accelerated depreciation benefits for machinery and plant investments.
- Fast-track the National Logistics Policy (2022) to reduce logistics costs, enhancing manufacturing competitiveness.
- De-risk Investments: Promote Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in sectors like roads, power, and railways to attract private capital and share risks.
Conclusion
Sustaining India’s growth momentum requires domestic capital to boost investment, ensure fair wages, and enhance R&D, aligning with national interests for a resilient, self-reliant economy amid global uncertainties.
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Drishti Mains Question:
A sustained increase in domestic demand is crucial for India's economic resilience. Analyze the role of Indian businesses in stimulating this demand.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is there a need to boost domestic private investment in India currently?
Despite record-high corporate profits and government incentives, private capex remains weak, even as outward FDI grows far faster than the global average.
2. What is a key challenge in India's Research and Development (R&D) ecosystem?
India's gross expenditure on R&D is only 0.64% of GDP, and the private sector contribution is merely 36%, far below leading economies, with a focus on short-term returns over fundamental research.
3. Why is ensuring moderate wage growth important for India’s economy?
Wage growth sustains consumption and aggregate demand; corporate profits hit a 15-year high in 2023–24, while real wage growth is projected to dip from 7% (FY25) to 6.5% (FY26), risking weaker domestic demand.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if: (2018)
(a) Industrial output fails to keep pace with agricultural output.
(b) Agricultural output fails to keep pace with industrial output
(c) Poverty and unemployment increase.
(d) Imports grow faster than exports.
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (2017)
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
11-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
Over the past 10 years, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) has become a cornerstone of India’s sustainable agriculture initiatives.
- Due to soil degradation, water pollution, and chemical residues, India launched PKVY in 2015 to promote organic farming, increase farmer incomes, and support sustainable agriculture.
What is Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana?
- About: PKVY is part of the Soil Health Management (SHM) component under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
- The scheme aims to support and promote organic farming, leading to improvements in soil health.
- Promotes the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for India, a locally relevant organic certification based on mutual trust, involving both producers and consumers.
- PGS-India operates outside the "Third Party Certification" system.
- Funding Pattern:
- Central and State Governments share the funding in a 60:40 ratio.
- For North Eastern and Himalayan States, the funding ratio is 90:10 (Centre: State).
- For Union Territories, the assistance is fully funded by the Central Government (100%).
- Eligibility: All farmers and institutions are eligible to apply. However, the maximum landholding for eligibility is 2 hectares.
- Key Features of PKVY
- Cluster-Based Approach: Farmers are organised into clusters of 20 hectares each, enabling shared resources, uniform standards, and cost reduction.
- End-to-End Support: The scheme supports farmers from production to processing, certification, and marketing.
- Training & Capacity Building: Farmers receive guidance on organic techniques, soil fertility improvement, and diversified cropping systems.
- Market Linkages: Encourages direct access to local and national markets, fostering entrepreneurship.
- The Jaivik Kheti Portal has been developed as a dedicated online platform to promote the direct sale of organic products from farmers to consumers.
- Key Benefits Offered Under the Scheme
- Under PKVY, farmers transitioning to organic farming receive ₹31,500 per hectare over a three-year period.
- The largest portion of this support is allocated for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs.

What are the Types of Organic Certification in India?
- Third-Party Certification (NPOP): Managed by accredited agencies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), it ensures compliance with international standards across production, processing, trading, and exports, enabling Indian farmers to access global organic markets.
- Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India): A farmer-centric, community-based certification under the Ministry of Agriculture, where farmers collectively verify practices and declare produce as organic, primarily serving domestic markets and supporting small and marginal farmers.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q.1 How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? (2021)
- Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.
- Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.
- Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.
- Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 4 only
(d) 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q.2 Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’? (2012)
(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops
(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field
(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together
(d) None of the above
Ans: (c)
SC Halts Aravalli Jungle Safari Over Ecological Concerns
11-10-2025
Source: IE
The Supreme Court of India has temporarily halted the Aravalli Jungle Safari Project in Haryana, citing concerns over its environmental impact on one of India’s most ecologically sensitive regions that serves as the green lung of Delhi-NCR.
- Aravalli Jungle Safari Project: Announced in 2022, the project aims to build the world’s largest jungle safari near Gurugram and Nuh.
- Inspired by Sharjah Safari (UAE) and Gir Sanctuary (Gujarat), it includes zones for big cats, bird parks, herpetarium, underwater world, and eco-tourism trails.
- Aravalli Range: It is considered one of the oldest mountain systems in the world. It spans over 800km from Gujarat to Delhi (through Rajasthan and Haryana). The highest peak in the Aravalli Range is Guru Peak (Guru Shikhar) on Mount Abu (also known as Arbuda).
- The range gives rise to rivers like the Banas, Sahibi (tributaries of the Yamuna), and Luni (flowing into the Rann of Kutch).
- The Aravalli Range is divided into two sections: the Sambhar-Sirohi range, which includes Guru Peak, and the Sambhar-Khetri range.
- Rich in minerals and natural resources, the range acts as a barrier against the western desert.
- It is densely forested in the south, and much of the range is rocky, sparsely populated, and covered with quartzite and sand.

India Mobile Congress
11-10-2025
Source:PIB
The 9th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025), Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in New Delhi.
India Mobile Congress
- About: It is a major annual event highlighting the latest advancements and innovations in the mobile and digital technology sector.
- It provides a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and technology enthusiasts, to discuss the future of the digital landscape.
- Organised By: It was organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
- Theme: Its theme is “Innovate to Transform,” highlighting India’s commitment to leveraging innovation for digital transformation and societal progress.
- Related Recent Developments: The Bharat 6G Alliance signed MoUs with NASSCOM and the European Space Agency to advance joint technology development and released four whitepapers on spectrum, next-gen telecom power, AI-driven network evolution, and 6G architecture and security.
- India’s 6G ambitions are projected to add USD 1.2 trillion to GDP by 2035, with a goal of capturing 10% of global 6G patents. The country’s satellite communications market is also expected to triple by 2033.
Project Waterworth
11-10-2025
Source: ET
Meta Platforms has chosen Mumbai and Visakhapatnam as the landing sites for the India leg of its multibillion-dollar undersea cable project Waterworth.
- Project Waterworth: It is a subsea cable initiative by Meta Platforms aimed at strengthening global data connectivity.
- It connects the US, India, Brazil, and South Africa, making it the world’s longest subsea cable, spanning over 50,000 km.
- Route Design: Project Waterworth features a W-shaped route that bypasses the Red Sea corridor, reducing risks from geopolitical conflicts and cable damages.
- Timeline & Capacity: Expected to be operational by 2030, with a design capacity of 1 petabit per second (Pbps).
- Strategic Significance: The chosen landing sites in India enhance the country’s role in global AI infrastructure, support data localisation, and strengthen India’s digital ecosystem.

Advancements in Magnetic Field Measurements
11-07-2025
Source: PIB
Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have developed a technique called Raman-Driven Spin Noise Spectroscopy (RDSNS) which can be incorporated into an all-optical quantum magnetometer to improve magnetic field measurements.
RDSNS (Raman-Driven Spin Noise Spectroscopy):
- About: RDSNS is an advanced all-optical technique for measuring magnetic fields using laser light and Rubidium atoms.
- Atoms naturally exhibit tiny, random spin movements, known as spin noise.
- When exposed to a magnetic field, the pattern of this noise changes.
- By detecting these changes with laser light, researchers can measure the magnetic field without disturbing the atoms.
- Key Advantages:
- It enables shield-free, compact/portable, and field-deployable magnetic sensing with a wide dynamic range and high sensitivity.
- It remains effective even in outdoor or noisy environments and is resistant to electrical and mechanical interference.
- Applications: RDSNS is useful in medical imaging (MRI alternative), geological surveys (mineral detection), space exploration (planetary magnetic fields), and quantum research (atomic and spin studies).
Magnetometer:
- About: A magnetometer is a device used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields, commonly applied in medical imaging, navigation, and earth/space studies.
- In ocean exploration, it helps detect shipwrecks, aircraft debris, and geological features on the seafloor.
- Working: The Earth’s magnetic field is generated by molten iron and nickel in its outer core and varies by location.
- Magnetometers detect this variation by recording magnetic readings (typically at 1 Hz). When encountering ferrous objects (like anchors, wreckage, or basalt), the device senses magnetic anomalies, sudden, unexpected changes in the field.
- Modern Magnetometers: Modern magnetometers such as Optically Pumped Atomic Magnetometers (OPAMs) and Spin-Exchange Relaxation-Free (SERF) use laser light and alkali atoms (e.g., Rubidium) to detect magnetic fields with high sensitivity.
- However, they require costly magnetic shielding, function only in noise-free lab settings, and have a limited detection range.
Empowering States Through Science
11-07-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), in its report “ A Roadmap for Strengthening State Science and Technology (S&T) Councils”, has called for reforms in the funding and governance of State S&T Councils.
What is the Role of State S&T Councils in India?
- About: Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) are vital to national development, with both Central and State S&T Departments playing key roles.
- The Centre-State S&T partnership began in 1971, led by Bharat Ratna Shri C. Subramaniam, through the creation of State Science & Technology Councils (SSTCs).
- Initially set up in Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, SSTCs now exist in almost all States and UTs across India.
- Support: SSTCs are supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology under the State Science and Technology Programme (SSTP).
- DST provides budgetary assistance to S&T Secretariats of States and UTs. S&T Councils also receive state government funding, though the levels vary significantly.
- Key Roles: Councils act as enablers of grassroots innovations, often in fields such as agriculture, renewable energy, disaster management, and biotechnology.
- Promote science-based solutions for resource management, environmental improvement, and better quality of life.
- S&T Councils develop scientific attitude and awareness among all sections of society.
What are the Key Challenges Faced by State S&T Councils?
- Overdependence on Core Grants: Many councils rely heavily on core grants from the DST, with minimal effort to secure project-based grants from other ministries or agencies.
- Low Central Financial Support: Despite being intended as key players in decentralised science governance, most councils receive very little funding from the Centre.
- For instance, of the Rs 300 crore annual budget in Gujarat’s State Science and Technology Council, only Rs 1.07 crore came from the Centre. In the case of Kerala’s Rs 150 crore, the Centre’s (DST) contribution was zero.
- State contributions to national R&D are minimal at just 6.7%, compared to the Centre's 44%. Smaller states like Sikkim and Mizoram are especially impacted by limited budgets, hindering their scientific progress.
- Lack of Industry and Institutional Linkages: Minimal collaboration with state industries, Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), and academic institutions (IITs, IIMs) limits the councils' impact on applied research and innovation.
- Inefficient Use of Resources: Disparities in fund utilisation across states point to regional imbalances and inefficiencies in execution.
- Lagging Research Output: The bulk of India’s S&T output comes from Centrally funded institutions, with State Councils failing to match productivity or impact.
- Budget Cuts in Some States: A comparative analysis of State S&T Council budgets from 2023–24 to 2024–25 shows a 17.65% overall funding increase, indicating growing state-level investment.
- However, states like Sikkim (-16.16%), Tamil Nadu (-4%), and Uttarakhand (-5%) have seen reductions in their S&T budgets, affecting ongoing and future projects.
- Lack of Adaptability: Councils are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly evolving R&D landscape, making their programs and models outdated.
- Weak Leadership: Many councils are led by bureaucrats rather than experts in science and technology. This lack of scientific leadership has significantly undermined the councils' ability to drive innovation and research.
- Staffing Issues: The councils suffer from a shortage of skilled personnel, and many positions remain vacant due to budgetary constraints. Additionally, many councils lack full-time scientific leaders, leading to inefficiency and poor staff morale.
Success Stories of State S&T Councils
- Kerala: Kerala's State Science & Technology Council has successfully implemented fellowship programs that helped women scientists return to research after career breaks.
- The state also allocates over Rs 170 crore annually for science and technology initiatives, showcasing a robust commitment to R&D.
- Tamil Nadu: It has emerged as a national leader in intellectual property filings, driven by the efforts of its Patent Information Centre (PIC).
- The state ranked 1st in patent filings and GI registrations and 3rd in industrial design filings (as per the Indian Patent Office Annual Report 2022–23).
- For its significant contribution to IP awareness and technology commercialization, Tamil Nadu’s PIC received the National Intellectual Property Award 2023 (Special Citation) from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Punjab: Punjab's innovative approach to paddy straw management has reduced pollution and boosted the local economy by promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
- This initiative has also created employment opportunities and contributed to environmental conservation.
- Mizoram: The Innovation Facility Centre (IFC) in Mizoram supports grassroots innovation through technical aid, institutional support, and IP filing.
- It has developed 82 innovation-related and 93 non-innovative products. The IFC collaborates with institutions like National Innovation Foundation (NIF), NIT Mizoram to promote inclusive growth.
- Manipur: Manipur’s aromatic plant cultivation project, aligned with the National Mission on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, is positioning the state as a potential hub for natural aroma-based products.
- The initiative has created jobs for local farmers, boosted rural entrepreneurship, and contributed to regional economic growth, showcasing how localized scientific efforts can drive socio-economic development.
What are the Key Reforms Suggested by NITI Aayog to Strengthen SSTCs?
- Scientific Leadership: NITI Aayog recommends appointing full-time scientists, rather than bureaucrats, to head the councils. This will ensure that councils are driven by experts who can push for scientific excellence and innovation.
- Performance-Based Funding: Instead of flat, non-performance-based grants, NITI Aayog advocates for funding that is linked to the performance of councils. This would incentivize states to improve their R&D outcomes and maximize the impact of every rupee spent.
- States should allocate at least 0.5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to S&T for regular and advanced activities.
- DST should replace core grants with performance-based project funding, except for small NE and UT councils. Councils should explore central ministry schemes beyond DST for additional funding.
- Secure Jobs and Career Growth: To improve the morale of scientific staff and retain talent, the roadmap suggests offering secure, long-term jobs with clear career progression for researchers working with SSTCs.
- Strengthening Industry and Academic Linkages: Building stronger connections between councils, industries, and academic institutions is critical.
- This would help bridge the gap between research and commercialization, leading to innovations that benefit both society and the economy.
- Science Cities and Innovation Hubs: The roadmap calls for the establishment of Science Cities planetariums, and innovation hubs in every state.
- Example: Gujarat Science City in Ahmedabad is a leading hub for scientific learning with state-of-the-art facilities like the Robotics Gallery, showcasing real-world applications in healthcare, industry, and daily life.
- These would serve as centers of excellence, bringing together research, education, and industry to foster local scientific and technological advancements.
- STI Information Cell: Councils should establish Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Cells to manage state-level STI data and act as nodal points for sharing indicators with government agencies. These cells will support evidence-based policymaking.
- SSR and CSR Cells: Councils should lead Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts by coordinating resources from institutions and stakeholders to address local challenges and promote scientific awareness.
- National Monitoring System: To ensure the effectiveness of these reforms, NITI Aayog proposes the creation of a national monitoring system that tracks the progress of State S&T Councils and holds them accountable for their performance.

|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the role of State Science and Technology Councils in promoting decentralised scientific governance in India. Highlight the key challenges they face in fulfilling this mandate.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q.1 Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)? (2015)
- NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.
- NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Q2. For outstanding contribution to which one of the following fields is Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize given? (2009)
(a) Literature
(b) Performing Arts
(c) Science
(d) Social Service
Ans: (c)
Q3. Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)
(a) Department of Science and Technology
(b) Ministry of Labour and Employment
(c) NITI Aayog
(d) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology helped India in its socio-economic development? (2016)
Aadi KARMAYOGI and TALASH
11-07-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the first Regional Process Lab (RPL) under the Aadi KARMAYOGI, which focuses on strengthening local governance.
- Simultaneously, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, launched the TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub) programme to support the growth of tribal students.
What is Aadi KARMAYOGI?
- About: Aadi KARMAYOGI is a National Mission for Responsive Governance, designed to build a cadre of 20 lakh tribal grassroots functionaries and village-level change leaders, who will drive inclusive development and strengthen last-mile service delivery in tribal areas.
- Objectives:
- Build Local Leadership: Develop State Master Trainers (SMTs), District Master Trainers (DMTs), and Block-level trainers.
- Strengthen Last-Mile Delivery: Enhance service delivery and implementation of tribal welfare schemes in remote areas.
- Promote Community-Centric Governance: Empower tribal communities with dignity, empathy, and purpose.
- Implementation: SMTs from five southern states Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are being trained at the RPL in Bengaluru.
- These trainers will go on to lead State Process Labs (SPLs), which will then train DMTs. The programme also involves civil society organisations to encourage participatory learning and ensure the training fits local contexts, supporting ongoing learning and leadership.
- The Aadi Karmayogi Mission supports responsive governance through local-level planning, quick grievance redressal, and joint implementation. It brings together departments like Tribal Affairs, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Jal Shakti, Education, and Forests.
What is TALASH?
- About: Launched by the NESTS in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) India, TALASH is an innovative platform designed to support the holistic development of over 1.38 lakh students across Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in India.
- The TALASH platform prepares tribal students to navigate the challenges of a competitive world by equipping them with essential life skills and career clarity. It also aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing inclusive, equitable education for all.
- TALASH is rolling out in phases. So far, 189 teachers from 75 EMRSs are trained. By the end of 2025, it will cover all EMRSs.
- Key Features of TALASH:
- Psychometric Assessments: Based on the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) ‘Tamanna’ framework, students take an aptitude test and receive a personalized career card.
- Career Counselling: Helps students align their aspirations with their strengths and interests.
- Life Skills and Self-Esteem Modules: Offers interactive lessons to build confidence and emotional intelligence.
- E-Learning for Teachers: Empowers teachers with digital tools and training to guide and mentor students effectively.
Note: Tamanna (Try And Measure Aptitude And Natural Abilities) is an aptitude test developed by NCERT and Central Board of Secondary Education under the Ministry of Education. It helps students of Classes IX and X understand their strengths across various dimensions.
- The test is voluntary, has no pass or fail, and is meant to guide rather than impose subject choices.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)
- PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
- A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
- There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
- Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Ans: C
Indigenous MALE Drones
11-07-2025
Source: TH
India is accelerating the procurement of 87 indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, featuring at least 60% indigenous content, to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthen surveillance along its sea and land borders.
- This is the first instance of Indian private manufacturers being tasked to supply MALE drones under the Make in India initiative replacing earlier imports from Israel.
- These drones will offer over 30 hours of flight endurance at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet, providing ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) support in varied terrains.
India’s Indigenous Drones
|
Drone Name
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Key Features
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Lakshya
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Target drone for reconnaissance and target acquisition; rocket-launched, turbojet-powered.
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Nishant
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Multi-mission UAV; day/night capable; used for surveillance, target tracking, and artillery fire correction.
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RUSTOM-1
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Short Range Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (SR-RPAS, 800 kg class); performs ISR, target acquisition, and image exploitation.
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TAPAS/Rustom-2
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MALE UAV developed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles.
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Archer
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Weaponized short-range UAV; for reconnaissance, surveillance, and low-intensity conflict.
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Note: All the above mentioned drones have been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

India's Top 1% Grew its Wealth by 62% Since 2000: G20 Report
10-11-2025
For Prelims: G20, G7, Inequality, Malnutrition, Intellectual Property (IP), IPCC, Global Minimum Corporate Tax, IMF, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), Food Security, Digital Divide.
For Mains: Findings of the G20 Report on Global Wealth Inequality, Key Drivers of inequality and its Socio-economic and Political Consequences. Measures Needed to Tackle Inequality.
Source: ET
Why in News?
The G20 Committee set up by the South African G20 Presidency, found that the world’s richest 1% accumulated 41% of global wealth between 2000 and 2023.
What are the Key Findings of the G20 Report on Global Inequality?
- Global Income Inequality: 83% of countries have high income inequality (Gini coefficient > 0.4). These countries account for 90% of the world’s population.
- Since 2000, global gaps have slightly narrowed due to growth in China and India, but major disparities persist—especially between rich regions and Sub-Saharan Africa—with a Gini coefficient of 0.61.
- Wealth Inequality: Between 2000 and 2024, global wealth inequality surged, with the richest 1% capturing 41% of new wealth, while the bottom 50% received just 1%.
- In India, the richest 1% grew their wealth share by 62% between 2000 and 2023.
- Global Food Insecurity: Globally, 1 in 4 people (2.3 billion) face moderate or severe food insecurity, with 335 million more regularly skipping meals since 2019.
Gini Index
- About Gini Index: The Gini index, developed in 1912 by Italian statistician Corrado Gini, measures income inequality within a population.
- It is derived from the Lorenz curve and quantifies the area between the curve and the line of perfect equality, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (maximum inequality), with lower values indicating a more equitable society.
- India’s Gini Index Trends: India’s Gini coefficient declined from 28.8 in 2011 to 25.5 in 2022, placing it in the moderately low inequality category.
- India’s score of 25.5 positions it ahead of higher-inequality countries such as China (35.7) and the United States (41.8).

What are the Key Factors Driving Global Inequality?
- Economic Liberalisation: Financial deregulation (price volatility), labour market deregulation with weakened trade unions, and privatisation of public services disproportionately impact the poor, widening income and economic inequality.
- International Factors: Trade patterns and capital flows generate disproportionate income gains for corporate elites, while real wages for workers—especially the less skilled—remain suppressed; meanwhile, IP regimes and monopolies benefit developed countries and restrict access to essential health and technology.
- International tax rules and external shocks allow MNCs and elites to avoid fair taxation and expose developing countries to financial crises and global recessions.
- Structural Factors: Colonial legacies of extraction-based economies, unequal land ownership, and social discrimination, combined with industrial revolution-driven regional growth and intergenerational wealth transfer, have perpetuated economic inequality today.
- Unequal Distribution of Incomes: Unequal asset ownership and gaps in skills, education, and social capital boost income for some while leaving others behind.
- Social and Cultural Factors: Inheritance and marriage patterns, social discrimination (gender, caste, race), and weak public support perpetuate elite wealth and trap low-income populations in poverty.
What are the Various Implications of Inequality?
- Perpetuation of Poverty: High inequality creates poverty traps, limiting access to education, healthcare, and nutrition, and perpetuating intergenerational disadvantage. It also wastes human potential, reducing workforce productivity and innovation, and hindering overall economic growth.
- Economic Instability: Concentrated wealth drives speculation in financial assets and real estate over productive investments, while limited consumer demand from the majority slows economic growth.
- Health Crises: Out-of-pocket health spending has pushed 1.3 billion people into poverty, reducing productivity and earnings, while food insecurity affects 2.3 billion, causing hunger, malnutrition, and impaired cognitive and societal health.
- Erosion of Democracy: Extreme wealth concentration grants elites political influence and rule of law capture, making countries with high inequality seven times more likely to face democratic decline as trust in institutions erodes.
- Interconnected Vicious Cycle: These consequences form a vicious cycle: economic inequality fuels political inequality, leading to policies favoring the wealthy, which further increases economic inequality and weakens the middle class, causing political instability and slower economic growth.
What Recommendations Has the G20 Report Made to Tackle Inequality?
- Establish International Panel on Inequality (IPI),: The report recommends creating an IPI, modeled on the IPCC, to monitor global inequality, provide data to policymakers, and guide government interventions.
- Progressive Taxation: Implement progressive income, wealth, and inheritance taxes and increase social spending on healthcare, education, and social protection to make an equitable society and reduce wealth concentration.
- Social Protection Policies: Strengthen workers’ power via collective bargaining, trade union protection, and minimum wages, and curb corporate monopolies through antitrust enforcement for fair wages and competition.
- Reforming Global Trade and IP Rules: Allow Intellectual Property (IP) waivers and compulsory licenses for critical health and climate technologies and promote fair trade and investment agreements that help developing countries advance up the value chain.
- Reforming Global Financial Systems: Introduce a robust global minimum corporate tax and explore a minimum tax on ultra-wealthy individuals, while reforming International Financial Institutions (IFIs) by replacing austerity mandates with growth-focused policies, and recognizing capital controls for macroeconomic stability.
- Expand Capacities of Developing Countries: Offer debt relief to over-indebted developing countries, allocate IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) based on need (not quota), and secure climate finance for adaptation and loss, while enhancing food security and bridging the digital divide.
Conclusion
The G20 report underscores that global inequality has reached emergency levels, with the richest 1% capturing disproportionate wealth. Inequality fuels poverty, health crises, economic instability, and democratic erosion. Tackling it requires progressive taxation, social protection, global coordination, and reform of trade, IP, and financial systems to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the impact of economic liberalization, structural factors, and international trade rules on inequality in developing countries.
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the share of global wealth held by the richest 1%?
Between 2000–2024, the richest 1% captured 41% of all new wealth, while the bottom 50% received only 1%, highlighting extreme inequality.
2. What is the Gini Index and how does India compare globally?
The Gini Index measures income inequality (0 = perfect equality, 1 = maximum inequality). India’s Gini declined from 28.8 in 2011 to 25.5 in 2022, making it more equal than China (35.7) and the US (41.8).
3. What is the key proposal of the 2025 G20 report to combat global inequality?
The flagship proposal is the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality (IPI), modelled on the IPCC, to provide authoritative data and policy analysis on inequality trends.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q. COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (2020)
Bihar’s Gogabil Lake is India’s 94th Ramsar Site
10-11-2025
Source: TOI
Bihar now has six Ramsar sites, placing it third after Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. India has the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia and ranks third globally after the UK (176) and Mexico (144), under the Ramsar Convention, 1971.
- Gogabil Lake: Gogabil Lake is an ox-bow wetland located in the Trans-Gangetic Plains of Katihar, Bihar. It is flanked by the Mahananda River to the northeast and the Ganga River to the south.
- Gogabil Lake is Bihar’s first Community Reserve. It is the 15th Protected Area (PA) in Bihar.
- It is used for irrigation water abstraction, extensive fishing, navigation, cattle wading, and recreation, supporting local livelihoods.
- Ecological Importance: Gogabil is a permanent waterbody that shrinks in summer but never dries, and it is an important wintering site along the Central Asian Flyway.
- Flora and Fauna: It hosts large congregations of waterbirds and shoreline birds. It supports bird species such as Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Northern Pintail, and Ruddy Shelduck.
- Endangered and rare species recorded here include the Black-bellied Tern, Lesser Adjutant Stork, River Tern, Painted Stork, Ferruginous Duck, Darter, and Black-headed Ibis.
- Due to its high avian diversity and ecological richness, Gogabil is recognised as an Important Bird Area.
- Threats: Major threats include heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides in the catchment that flow into the wetland, along with exploitation of biological resources.

Expansion of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
10-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has expanded the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) by including 9 additional commodities, increasing the total tradable agricultural products on the platform to 247 from 238.
What is the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)?
- About: e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading portal launched in April 2016, fully funded by the Central Government and implemented by Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
- Its beneficiaries are farmers, mandis, traders, buyers, processors and exporters
- Key Objectives:
- Create a Unified Market: Integrate state-level markets for pan-India agricultural trade.
- Ensure Transparency: Enable better price discovery via transparent auctions and wider buyer access.
- Improve Efficiency: Streamline and standardize marketing procedures across markets.
- Assure Quality: Implement quality assaying so prices reflect produce quality.
- Benefit Consumers: Support stable prices and availability of quality produce.
- Features: Pan-India Network, Quality assurance & assaying, Streamlined licensing & market fees, Direct online payments, Improved market access & information, and Logistics & Integration.
- Monitoring: It follows a coordinated approach with SFAC at the national level and respective state departments with supporting agencies at the state level.
- Pre-requisites for e-NAM: States must implement three reforms in their APMC Act to integrate mandis with e-NAM:
- Permit e-auction/electronic trading.
- Issue a single trading license valid across the State/UT.
- Apply a single-point levy of market fee.
- Tradable Parameters for Goods: The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) is tasked with setting tradable parameters for commodities on e-NAM, which establish standardized grades or ranges, link prices to quality, and help farmers secure better value for their produce.
- eNAM Achievements: A total of 1,389 Mandis from 23 States and 4 UTs have been integrated into the e-NAM platform, with over 1.77 crore farmers and 2.53 lakh traders registered as of February 2024.
- Significance: Enhanced price realization for farmers, Reduction in post-harvest losses, Formalization of agricultural trade, Stable prices and supply for consumers.
Other Digital Marketing Initiatives in Agriculture
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)?
e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading platform launched in 2016 to integrate mandis, enable transparent auctions, and improve price discovery for farmers.
2. How many commodities are tradable on e-NAM after the latest expansion?
247 agricultural commodities are now tradable on e-NAM after the inclusion of 9 new commodities.
3. Which other digital initiatives complement e-NAM in India?
Initiatives include Krishi UDAN 2.0, FPO formation and promotion, ITC e-Choupal, Agri-Stack, and Agri Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF).
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)
- Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
- Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
- Social Capital development
- Free electricity supply to farmers
- Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
- Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Ans: (c)
Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)
- The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
- The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
- The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Emerging Warfare Technologies and Self-Reliance in Defence Innovation
10-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Defence Minister of India highlighted that future wars will be shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, drones, quantum computing, and directed-energy weapons as seen in Operation Sindoor and called on entrepreneurs and startups to set new benchmarks and create India’s first defence unicorn.
How are Emerging Technologies Transforming the Nature of Warfare?
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI analyzes battlefield data in real-time, helping commanders make faster strategic and tactical decisions.
- AI-powered algorithms detect, respond to, and predict cyber threats in real-time, protecting military networks.
- AI/ML, combined with information technology, can be used for military or political purposes, such as cyberattacks, espionage, and information warfare.
- These methods target government, civilian, and military systems through tactics like viruses, denial-of-service attacks, and phishing.
- A notable example is the Stuxnet worm, which specifically targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
- Autonomous Weapons and Loitering Munitions: These include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like Israel's Harop and India's Nagastra-1 that make target decisions without human intervention.
- These loitering munitions autonomously seek and engage targets, combining missile and drone capabilities for precise strikes at a lower operational cost.
- Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs); The DEWs like India’s Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array (DURGA) II are high-energy lasers and microwave weapons, can incapacitate or destroy targets like missiles, drones, or vehicles without using traditional explosives.
- Quantum Technologies: It has the potential to break encryption systems, posing significant threats to secure communications in warfare.
- They can also be used for military applications like logistics optimization and simulation modeling.
- Space-Based Warfare: The militarization of space has made satellites critical for global positioning, communications, and real-time intelligence.
- Military satellites provide navigation, weather data, surveillance, and communication for forces on the ground, air, or sea.
- The ability to destroy or disable enemy satellites in space has become a strategic priority. Countries like China and India have tested Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) capabilities (e.g., India's Mission Shakti).
- Hypersonic Missiles: Missiles like BrahMos-II travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), allowing them to evade current missile defense systems.
- These weapons can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and are difficult to intercept due to their velocity and maneuverability.
- 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing: It allows for the rapid prototyping and production of spare parts, weapons, and even drones directly on the battlefield.
- This reduces supply chain dependency and the need for large inventories.
- Biotechnology: It has the potential to enhance soldiers’ physical and cognitive abilities, such as creating advanced prosthetics or developing genetic modifications to improve endurance or resistance to fatigue.
- Swarming Technology: It involves multiple small drones operating autonomously in coordinated patterns.
- Powered by AI, they can overwhelm defenses, enable reconnaissance, disrupt communications, and execute precision strikes, offering flexible and surprising capabilities in air and naval operations.
- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR are enhancing training methods by providing realistic simulations for soldiers without the need for actual combat.
- These technologies help train personnel in complex battle scenarios, improving decision-making and tactical responses.
- Exoskeletons: Powered exoskeletons are designed to augment human strength and endurance, allowing soldiers to carry heavier loads and reduce fatigue during long operations.
Why is Self-Reliance in Defence Innovation Strategically Important for India?
- National Security & Self-Reliance: Indigenous technology reduces reliance on foreign arms, addressing challenges like CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) and ensuring strategic autonomy.
- The vulnerability of foreign-controlled infrastructure, like Global Positioning System satellites (controlled by the US), could be a potential weakness during conflicts.
- NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), India's regional satellite navigation system, ensures reliable, independent navigation capabilities, crucial for military operations and critical infrastructure without relying on foreign satellite systems.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat aims to achieve Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, promoting the domestic production of key defense technologies.
- Strategic Deterrence: Indigenous missiles like Agni-V and BrahMos provide India with a robust deterrence capability, critical for regional stability.
- India’s defense strategy includes strengthening nuclear deterrence through self-reliant missile systems and maintaining a credible second-strike capability.
- Operational Flexibility: Technologies like Nirbhay missile and Dhanush artillery are built to suit India’s terrain and strategic needs, ensuring optimal performance.
- Indigenous systems can be quickly modified and integrated based on real-time feedback, strengthening national defense readiness.
- Economic Growth & Industry Development: The defense sector under Make in India creates high-tech jobs and strengthens the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
- Increasing exports like the Akash missile to countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar supports economic growth and geopolitical influence.
- Global Geopolitical Influence: Growing defense exports contribute to India's strategic partnerships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region positioning India as a key global arms supplier.
What are the Key India's Initiatives Related Defence Startups?
- Make in India (Defence): Launched in 2014 to promote domestic manufacturing of defence equipment. Focuses on reducing import dependency and encouraging indigenous production.
- Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: Introduced categories like Buy Indian (IDDM) and Buy Global–Manufacture in India. Prioritises domestic procurement with mandatory indigenous content thresholds.
- Defence capital acquisitions have increased from Rs. 74,000 crore in FY21-22 to Rs. 1.2 lakh crore in FY24-25
- Defence Procurement Manual (DPM-2025): Provides assured orders for 5+5 years, offering stability and predictability for innovators.
- Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020: Aims to develop a robust defence industrial ecosystem, including exports.
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): Encourages start-ups and MSMEs to innovate for defence needs. Offers grants and procurement support; over 600 startups engaged as of 2025.
- Technology Development Fund (TDF): Run by DRDO to support MSMEs and startups for developing defence technologies. Funding limit raised to Rs 50 crore per project in FY25.
- SRIJAN Portal: Online platform listing imported items for indigenisation by Indian industry. Over 14,000 items indigenised till February 2025.
- Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs): Five lists issued banning import of over 5,500 items beyond set deadlines. Enforced to ensure procurement only from domestic sources.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Assess India’s preparedness for future warfare considering emerging technologies and domestic innovation ecosystems.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
1. What are the key emerging technologies shaping modern warfare?
AI, autonomous systems, drones, cyber warfare, quantum computing, directed-energy weapons, hypersonic missiles, swarming drones, AR/VR, exoskeletons, and space-based capabilities.
2. Why is indigenous defence technology important for India?
Ensures strategic autonomy, reduces foreign dependence, strengthens operational readiness, promotes economic growth, and enhances global defence influence.
3. What is iDEX and its role in defence innovation?
iDEX connects startups/MSMEs with armed forces, providing funding, procurement, and scaling support for indigenous defence technologies.
4. What government policies support defence startups and MSMEs?
Make in India (Defence), Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, SRIJAN Portal, and Positive Indigenisation Lists provide funding, procurement, and regulatory support.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)
(a) An Israeli radar system
(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
(c) An American anti-missile system
(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.
Ans: (c)
Q. In the context of the Indian defence, what is ‘Dhruv’? (2008)
(a) Aircraft-carrying warship
(b) Missile-carrying submarine
(c) Advanced light helicopter
(d) Intercontinental ballistic missile
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)
India-Israel Sign Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA)
10-09-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India and Israel have signed a fresh bilateral investment treaty, making Israel the first OECD country to adopt India’s new investment treaty model.
- This replaces the older version of BIT signed between India and Israel in 1996, which was terminated in 2017.
What is a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA)?
- About: A Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) is a legal agreement between two countries to protect and promote investments in each other’s territories.
- BITs grant rights to investors, allowing them to seek remedies through investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms, or to home states, through state-to-state dispute settlement.
- Recognized under Article 38(1)(a) of the International Court of Justice statute, as a primary source of international obligations.
- India’s BIT Evolution: Old Model BIT (1993) replaced by New Model BIT (2015) and recent BITs signed with Uzbekistan (2024), UAE (2024), and Kyrgyzstan (2025).
- Key Feature of India- Israel BIT:
- Investment Boost: Expected to increase bilateral investments, currently worth around USD 800 million.
- Balanced Investor Protection:The agreement safeguards investors against the risk of government expropriation or nationalization of assets and ensures that any such action must be accompanied by fair and prompt compensation.
- Dispute Resolution: Includes an arbitration-based mechanism to settle disputes, promoting a stable investment environment.
- Transparency and Predictability: Governments are required to maintain clear and predictable investment policies and regulations, reducing uncertainty and strengthening investor confidence.
Model BIT 2015
- Definition & Protection: Defines an investment as an enterprise that is constituted, organized, and operated in good faith by an investor according to the domestic laws of the host country.
- Requires each party to provide full protection and security to investments and investors.
- Mandates that foreign investors be treated on par with domestic companies.
- Limits the host country’s ability to take control of foreign investments.
- Exclusions Clause: Excludes areas like government procurement, taxation, subsidies, compulsory licenses, and national security from BIT obligations
- ISDS Mechanism: Requires foreign investors to first exhaust local remedies for a minimum of 5 years before resorting to the ISDS mechanism.
How Has the Bilateral Relationship Between India and Israel Evolved Over Time?
- Diplomatic Relation: Though India officially recognized Israel in 1950, both countries established full diplomatic ties only on 29th January 1992.
- Economic Ties: Bilateral trade between India and Israel reached USD 6.53 billion (excluding defense) in FY 2023-24, with India maintaining a trade surplus.
- Innovation & Technology: Initiatives like the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund (I4F) (2023–2027) aim to foster joint research and technological advancements.
- Regional Cooperation: The I2U2 Partnership, involving India, Israel, the UAE, and the US, held its first summit in 2022 to strengthen regional collaboration.
- Defense Cooperation: India is one of the largest importers of weapons from Israel, contributing to approx 40% of its annual arms exports.
- The two countries have co-developed the Barak-8 missile system, and India conducts regular port calls at Haifa, Israel.
- Cultural Exchange Programs: Collaboration extends to cultural exchange programs, health and medical cooperation, and MoUs on agriculture and water resource management.

What are the Key Challenges Faced by India’s BIT framework, and Suggest Measures to Address Them?
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Challenges
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Suggested Measures
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Lack of clarity in terms like "investment" and customary international law (CIL) leads to disputes.
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Define terms like "investment" and "CIL" precisely to reduce legal ambiguities.
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Delays in dispute resolution due to the requirement to exhaust local remedies.
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Allow investors to choose between local courts or international arbitration upfront.
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Exclusion of Most-Favored-Nation(MFN) and Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) reduces investor confidence.
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Incorporate MFN and FET Provisions with safeguards to prevent treaty shopping while ensuring non-discrimination.
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Exclusion from the ICSID Convention limits enforcement options for foreign investors.
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Become a signatory to ICSID to enhance investor confidence and provide a globally recognized dispute resolution mechanism.
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Conclusion:
The recent BIT signed with Israel underscores this evolving strategy, as Israel becomes the first OECD country to adopt India’s new treaty model. This agreement aims to boost trade and investment by providing greater certainty and protection for investors while maintaining India's right to regulate.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (2018)
(a) China
(b) Israel
(c) Iraq
(d) Yemen
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss (2018)
International Conference on Space 2025
10-09-2025
Source:PIB
India inaugurated the International Conference on Space 2025, highlighting the country’s ambitious space goals, its evolving space strategy, and its future role in global space exploration.
- Theme: Harnessing Space for Global Progress: Innovation, Policy, and Growth.
India’s Major Space Ambitions
- To establish a Bharatiya Space Station by 2035 and send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
- Future exploration missions to Mars, Venus, and asteroids are part of the roadmap.
- The Gaganyaan human spaceflight programmme is being developed as a priority.
- India's international collaborations include the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission with the United States and the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 mission with Japan, showcasing space as a platform for global engagement.
Recent Achievements in India’s Space Journey
- Success of Chandrayaan-3 , making India the first country to land near the lunar south pole
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian Air Force officer to travel to the International Space Station.

Recurring Flood in Punjab
10-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
Punjab (land of five rivers) is facing one of its worst floods in 40 years, with all 23 districts affected, 3.8 lakh people impacted, and over 11.7 lakh hectares of farmland destroyed.
- This has raised debates on the continuous and large-scale flooding in Punjab and related issues.
What are the Causes of Flooding in Punjab?
Natural Causes
- Heavy Monsoon Rains: Intense rainfall in catchment areas (Himachal, J&K, Punjab), amplified by cloudbursts, leads to sudden river swelling.
- Geographical Vulnerability: Punjab is drained by three perennial rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—along with the seasonal Ghaggar and smaller tributaries (choes).
- These rivers make the state fertile (producing ~20% of India’s wheat and 12% of rice from 1.5% of landmass), earning it the title “food bowl of India”, but also prone to floods.
- Past major floods occurred in 1955, 1988, 1993, 2019, and 2023.
- Climate Change: Altered weather patterns, with intense and erratic rainfall, have transformed the monsoon from an agricultural ally to a destructive force, as per IPCC AR6 findings.
Human-Induced Factors
- Dam Management Issues: Bhakra (Sutlej), Pong (Beas), and Thein/Ranjit Sagar (Ravi) dams release water during heavy rains (45% excess rainfall in 2025), often without timely coordination and timely warnings.
- In 2025, unprecedented inflows (20% higher than 2023 at Pong) led to sudden releases, flooding downstream areas.
- Inadequate Flood Cushion: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is criticized for maintaining high reservoir levels in July–August for irrigation and power, leaving little buffer for heavy rains in August–September.
- Barrage Failures: In August 2025, two gates of Madhopur Barrage on Ravi failed after sudden dam releases.
- Weak Embankments (Dhussi Bundhs): Poor maintenance and illegal mining have weakened flood protection structures.
- Failure to implement a 2024 flood-preparedness guidebook led to unmaintained canals, and clogged drainage systems obstructing natural water flow.
- Governance Gaps: Lack of coordination between Centre-controlled BBMB, Punjab’s irrigation authorities, and disaster response agencies.
- Poor drainage systems in southern Punjab’s Malwa region, coupled with incessant local rainfall, have caused severe waterlogging.
- Unregulated Development: Illegal construction on floodplains and riverbanks, coupled with deforestation, has reduced natural flood buffers.
What are the Key Challenges in Punjab’s Flood Management?
Governance Issues
- Centralized Control: The major centrally controlled dams prioritizes irrigation and power over flood management, leaving Punjab with limited influence.
- The 2022 amendment allowing non-Punjab/Haryana officers in top BBMB posts has further strained state-Centre relations.
- Reactive Approach: Governments often respond post-flood rather than investing in preventive measures like embankment strengthening or desilting.
Infrastructure Deficiencies
- Weak Embankments: Illegal sand mining and poorly maintained drainage systems exacerbate waterlogging, particularly in southern Punjab.
- Underinvestment: Strengthening embankments and desilting rivers require Rs 4,000–5,000 crore, which remains unaddressed due to funding constraints.
- Climate Variability: Increasingly erratic monsoons and extreme rainfall events, driven by climate change, challenge existing flood management strategies.
What are the Impacts of the Floods in Punjab?
- Agricultural Devastation: Over 4 lakh acres of farmland submerged, with crops like paddy and basmati rice facing quality issues, potentially fetching prices below MSP.
- Post-flood challenges include land erosion, silt deposition, and difficulties in sowing new crops, threatening Punjab’s role as India’s food bowl.
- Economic Fallout: Farmers face financial hardship due to crop losses and degraded land, exacerbating existing agricultural debt.
- Infrastructure damage, including roads and irrigation systems, requires significant repair costs, straining state resources.
- Public Health Crisis: Floodwaters, particularly from polluted rivers like Buddha Dariya in Ludhiana, have caused “black floods,” carrying industrial pollutants and untreated waste, risking outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, dengue, and malaria.
- Long-term groundwater contamination and soil degradation pose environmental threats.
- Social and Humanitarian Impact: Several people were evacuated, but displaced families face challenges in accessing food, shelter, and safety, with particular risks for women and children.
What Measures Can be Taken?
- Scientific Dam Management: Revise BBMB “rule curves” (storage and release policies) to include climate forecasts and ensure adequate flood cushion.
- Strengthening Embankments: Invest in dhussi bundhs (earthen embankments), prevent illegal mining (through satellite monitoring), and modernise drainage networks.
- Integrated Flood Management: Improve Centre–State coordination on dam releases; establish transparent communication channels.
- Community-Centric Preparedness: Expand flood forecasting, digital alerts, and village-level disaster plans and adoptive capacity building through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
- Implement Zero Casualty Approach through local monitoring, early warning, and mock drills.
- Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Build urban drainage systems, restore wetlands, and undertake river desilting to absorb excess flows.
- Integrate climate models into flood forecasting to anticipate extreme rainfall events.
- Promote flood-resistant crops and diversify agriculture to reduce dependency on flood-prone Kharif crops.
Conclusion
Punjab’s geography makes it inherently flood-prone, but poor dam management, weak embankments, and governance lapses convert natural hazards into human-made disasters. A shift towards scientific water regulation, resilient infrastructure, and transparent governance is essential to safeguard lives, agriculture, and Punjab’s role as India’s food bowl.
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Drishti Mains Question
Q. Punjab faces recurrent floods despite being drained by perennial rivers. Discuss the natural and human-induced causes of flooding in Punjab and suggest measures for effective flood management.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus direct?
(a) Chenab
(b) Jhelum
(c) Ravi
(d) Sutlej
Ans: (d)
- The Jhelum joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan.
- The Ravi joins the Chenab near Sarai Sidhu.
- Satluj is joined by the Chenab in Pakistan. Thus, Satluj receives the collective drainage of the Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers. It joins the Indus a few kilometres above Mithankot.
Mains:
Q. Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods. (2024)
Q. The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020)
Q. Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (2020)
Urban Centres as Catalysts of India's Growth
10-07-2025
Source: BL
Why in News?
India is undergoing a rapid urban transformation, with the urban population expected to reach 675 million by 2035 and 70 million more residents by 2045. This rapid urbanization will shape the economic and social trajectory of India for decades to come.
- However, urban challenges in Indian Cities continue to hinder the full potential of this transformation.
Why are Cities Central to India’s Economic Future?
- Economic Engines: Cities contribute nearly 60% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while occupying only 3% of land, highlighting their role as hubs of productivity and innovation.
- Just 15 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad account for 30% of India’s GDP. These cities are expected to contribute an additional 1.5% to GDP growth by 2047.
- Agglomeration Benefits: Higher population densities in urban centres lead to greater economic output, better job creation, and innovation through clustering of industries and services.
- India’s growing urban population is anticipated to increase its economic productivity by an additional 1.5% annually, thereby facilitating substantial growth in national output.
- Global Competitiveness: Well-functioning cities improve ease of doing business, attract foreign investment, and support India's ambitions to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2026 and USD 40 trillion by 2047.
- Infrastructure Efficiency: Urban areas with efficient transport, housing, energy, and logistics systems lower operational costs and boost industrial growth.
- Innovation Hubs: Cities foster startups, R&D, and technology adoption, becoming centres of digital and service-sector transformation.
- Social Opportunity: Urbanisation offers pathways for poverty reduction, education, and healthcare access, linking economic development with improved human development outcomes.
What are the Challenges Faced by Urban India?
- Congestion and Traffic Management: Urban residents spend an average of 1.5-2 hours daily stuck in traffic. This congestion increases pollution, wastes time, and hampers productivity.
- Most Indian cities lack comprehensive, efficient, and integrated public transport systems. This results in over-dependence on private vehicles, which further exacerbates traffic congestion.
- Eg. Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi has only 41 buses for a population of 1.46 million.
- According to the Asian Development Bank, India loses up to USD 22 billion annually due to urban transport inefficiencies, logistics delays, and poor infrastructure.
- Air Pollution: In 2023, India was home to 42 of the 50 most polluted cities in the world, up from 39 in 2022. The primary contributors to poor air quality include vehicular emissions, construction dust, and biomass burning.
- Poor air quality leads to respiratory diseases, affecting millions of urban residents, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
- Water Scarcity: Nearly half of India’s rivers are polluted, leading to inadequate water availability for urban areas. Inadequate treatment and wastewater management further strain water resources.
- Cities lose up to 40-50% of piped water in transmission due to outdated infrastructure, exacerbating water scarcity.
- Solid Waste Management: Indian cities generate over 150,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, but only a small portion is processed sustainably. Many cities lack effective waste segregation and recycling systems.
- Poor waste management contributes to pollution, health hazards, and unclean urban environments, making cities less livable.
- Inadequate Sanitation: Many urban areas, particularly informal settlements, lack access to proper sanitation facilities.
- Inadequate sewage systems and sewage leakages into water bodies continue to be a challenge in many cities.
- Affordable Housing Shortage: India faces a shortage of 10 million affordable homes, a number expected to triple by 2030. The urban poor often live in informal settlements or slums, which lack basic infrastructure like clean water, sanitation, and electricity.
- This growing shortage not only leads to overcrowded slums but also creates urban ghettos, raising security challenges and increasing the potential for communal or religious violence.
- Additionally, the increasing demand for urban space drives property prices up, making affordable housing inaccessible to many.
- Urban Flooding: Many cities face urban flooding due to inadequate drainage systems, encroachment of stormwater drains, and rapid urbanization.
- The 2018 floods in Kerala and the 2015 floods in Chennai are prime examples of how urban infrastructure struggles to cope with extreme weather events.
- Weak Municipal Finances: Most Indian cities struggle to generate sufficient revenue through local taxes and municipal bonds. Less than 0.2% of India’s GDP (1.1% in the OECD) is raised through property taxes.
- Many cities rely on central government funding for urban development projects, but the funds allocated are often insufficient or inefficiently utilized.
- Digital Infrastructure Deficits: India’s internet speed is much lower compared to cities in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Seoul.
- This hampers the growth of digital businesses and slows down overall economic growth.
- Urban Heat Island: Higher temperatures lead to increased use of air conditioning, raising electricity demand, especially during peak summer. This burdens urban power grids and increases carbon emissions.
- Urban Heat Islands increase health risks for vulnerable groups, reduce green cover and biodiversity, strain water resources, raise flood risk, and degrade infrastructure and urban livability.
What are India's Initiatives for Promoting Growth and Sustainability in the Urban Sector?
What Reforms are Needed for India's Urban Future?
- Treat Urban Infrastructure as Core National Infrastructure: Elevate urban infrastructure (mobility, water, sanitation, waste) to the same level as highways, ports, and energy grids.
- Classify smart cities and logistics ecosystems as “strategic infrastructure” to attract long-term capital and policy alignment.
- Synchronise Urban Expansion with Industrial Corridors: Bridge the disconnect between housing, commerce, and transport (Transit-Oriented Development). Promote spatial integration of transit, zoning, and economic planning to create compact, liveable, and productive urban-industrial zones.
- Create Unified, Tech-Enabled Urban Governance Bodies: Streamlining urban planning and approvals is essential. Urban Governance Bodies must embed private sector leadership and work alongside public authorities to improve accountability.
- Real-time performance dashboards and urban digital twins (a dynamic digital replica of a city, integrating advanced technologies to provide actionable insights) can ensure more responsive and transparent management of urban systems.
- Treat Sanitation and Waste Management as National Economic Priorities: Sanitation and waste management are economic issues.
- Private sector models, like the Tirupur water PPP, using the BOOT model, successfully delivered water to industries and residents. Similar industry-led models can be extended to waste management, circular economy, and decentralized sanitation.
- Recapitalize Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): In today’s urban reality, PPPs must be redefined to ensure long-term private capital flows into both existing infrastructure (brownfield) upgrades and new urban projects (greenfield).
- De-risking instruments like viability gap funding and urban challenge funds can facilitate such investments.
- Co-Develop the Digital Backbone of Modern Cities: Industry should collaborate with the government to build the digital backbone of cities, such as AI-powered infrastructure planning and automated construction permits.
- This digital infrastructure can improve efficiency, transparency, and trust while accelerating urban development.
- Strengthening Climate Resilience in Cities: Urban planning must integrate climate resilience by building adaptive infrastructure like flood barriers and heat-resistant structures. Measures such as green roofs, urban forestry, and green spaces help mitigate heat islands and enhance urban livability.
- Role of Society in Urban Reform: Urban reform is not just about improving systems but also about engaging society. Reforms must be co-created with citizens and industry alike.
- Participatory frameworks that blend policy, people, and private capital are essential to ensuring the resilience and legitimacy of cities. These collaborations can empower cities to meet local needs while contributing to national progress.
Conclusion
Indian cities are vital drivers of regional growth but face challenges in infrastructure, sustainability, and governance. Sustainable urban planning, improved public transport, and resource management are key to promoting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities), ensuring equitable urban development.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Urbanisation is both an opportunity and a challenge for India. Discuss
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Mains
Q. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (2016)
Q. Do government schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies? (2014)
Vera C. Rubin Observatory
10-07-2025
Source: IE
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, an astronomical facility in Chile (8,684 feet above sea level atop Cerro Pachón mountain), released its first test images, utilizing the Simonyi Survey Telescope as its primary instrument.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory
- About: It is an astronomical observatory built to conduct the most comprehensive survey of the southern hemisphere’s night sky through continuous scanning.
- It is named in honor of American astronomer Vera C. Rubin, who was the first to provide evidence for the existence of dark matter in the 1970s.
- Uniqueness: Its Simonyi Survey Telescope features a wide field of view, capable of capturing an area equivalent to 40 full Moons in a single shot—vastly surpassing the Hubble SpaceTelescope (1%) and James Webb Space Telescope (75%) in coverage.
- It houses the world’s largest digital camera with 3,200 megapixels, enabling it to detect objects 100 million times dimmer than those visible to the naked eye.
- Additionally, it is the fastest-slewing telescope, able to adjust its position in just five seconds.
- Purpose: It will help explore the nature of dark energy (68%) and dark matter (27%), which together make up 95% of the universe, while visible matter forms just 5%.
- It is aimed at addressing key astronomical questions, including the formation of the Milky Way, existence of the 9th planet in our solar System and threat of an asteroid to Earth.
Credit Reforms to Deepen Financial Markets
09-10-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a set of credit reforms to deepen financial markets, enhance the role of banks in corporate consolidation, and advance rupee internationalisation, amid rising trade tensions with the US and renewed BRICS currency discussions on alternatives to the US dollar.
What are the Key Credit Reforms Announced by RBI?
- Finance Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As): For the first time, banks in India can lend directly for corporate takeovers (earlier dominated by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and private funds), a domain previously restricted due to concerns over misuse, promoter risk, and credit concentration.
- Rupee-Denominated Lending: Indian banks can now lend in rupees to neighbours like Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
- This move aims to reduce dollar dependence in regional trade and settlements, provide rupee liquidity, and promote the internationalisation of the rupee while strengthening India’s monetary influence.
- Increasing Capital Market Lending Limits: The loan limit against shares has been raised to Rs 1 crore (from Rs 20 lakh), and Initial Public Offering (IPO) financing limit increased to Rs 25 lakh (from Rs 10 lakh).
- These measures aim to improve access to market-based financing and energise primary capital markets.
- Use of SRVA in Corporate Debt: Funds in Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs), can now be invested in corporate bonds and commercial papers, not just government securities.
- It strengthens rupee liquidity and deepens India’s bond market.
- Expanded Currency Benchmarks: The Financial Benchmarks India Limited (FBIL) will include more partner currencies beyond USD, Euro, Pound, and Yen. It enables direct forex quotes with more countries and reduces dollar dependence.
- Revised Basel III Capital Norms: From April 2027, RBI will implement revised Basel III capital adequacy norms for commercial banks.
- The new standards are expected to reduce capital requirements for certain sectors, particularly MSMEs and residential real estate loans, by introducing lower risk weights for these sectors.
- This aims to boost banks' capital adequacy ratios while maintaining financial stability.
Financial Markets in India
- About: Financial markets are platforms where securities like stocks, bonds, and currencies are traded.
- These markets, including forex, bond, stock, money, and derivatives markets, play a crucial role in a country's economic growth.
- Components of Financial Markets in India:
- Money Market: Deals with short-term financial instruments (less than one year), facilitating borrowing and lending between banks and financial institutions.
- Capital Markets: Involves long-term instruments (over one year). It includes the primary market (new securities) and secondary market (existing securities).
- Foreign Exchange Market: Facilitates currency trading, crucial for international trade and investment.
- Derivatives Market: Involves trading instruments like options and futures that derive value from underlying assets.
- Importance of Financial Markets: It supports capital raising, risk management, and contributes to economic stability and growth. They are essential for businesses, investors, and overall economic development.
- A failure in these markets can lead to recession and unemployment.
What are the Implications of the Credit Reforms by RBI?
- Enhanced Capital Access: By allowing banks to fund takeovers, corporates now have access to low-cost, structured finance for scaling operations.
- However, this also increases exposure to promoter risk and demands enhanced credit appraisal, monitoring, and governance safeguards to prevent asset quality deterioration.
- Corporate Sector Empowerment: Easier access to structured bank finance enables well-governed companies to undertake strategic expansions and sectoral consolidation.
- This is likely to catalyse growth in key sectors like infrastructure, energy, logistics, and manufacturing, improving global competitiveness.
- Rupee Internationalisation: Allowing rupee-denominated loans to neighbours positions India as a regional financial anchor. These reforms serve as a counterweight to global currency blocs, offering a practical alternative through rupee-based trade and credit.
- Enabling investments of surplus SRVA balances into Indian corporate bonds further builds international confidence in Indian markets and deepens rupee liquidity abroad.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Critically evaluate the role of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in strengthening India’s financial markets and promoting global competitiveness
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What new lending freedom has RBI given to banks?
Banks can now finance mergers and acquisitions (M&As), a space earlier dominated by NBFCs.
2. How do rupee-denominated loans to neighbours help India?
They promote rupee internationalisation and reduce dollar dependence in regional trade.
3. What new use is allowed for Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) balances?
Surplus SRVA funds can now be invested in corporate bonds and commercial papers.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Convertibility of rupee implies (2015)
(a) being able to convert rupee notes into gold
(b) allowing the value of rupee to be fixed by market forces
(c) freely permitting the conversion of rupee to other currencies and vice versa
(d) developing an international market for currencies in India
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments? (2019)
Swadeshi Movement and Self -Reliant India
09-08-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
Every year on 7th August, India celebrates National Handloom Day, which marks the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on this day in 1905.
- The movement promoted indigenous industries, with a special focus on handloom weaving, as a means of economic resistance to British colonial rule.
National Handloom Day
- The day was officially declared by the Government of India in 2015 to honour the handloom community and their contribution.
- It highlights handlooms as a pillar of rural economy, women’s empowerment, and sustainable, eco-friendly production.
- National Handloom Day Theme 2025: “Weaving Innovation into Tradition.”
What was the Swadeshi Movement?
- Origins of the Swadeshi Movement:
- Partition of Bengal: The Partition of Bengal (1905) into Muslim-majority East Bengal and Hindu-majority West Bengal was seen as a British tactic to create religious and political divisions, weakening nationalist unity.
- Lord Curzon’s Policies: Lord Curzon’s repressive policies, like reforms in Calcutta Corporation and the Indian Universities Act (1904), fueled middle-class anger and discontent.
- Calcutta Townhall meeting: The August 1905 Calcutta Townhall meeting formally launched the Swadeshi Movement, urging people to boycott British goods especially the 'Manchester –made-cloth' and the. 'Liverpool-salt', and support Indian-made products.
- Key Methods of the Swadeshi Movement:
- Boycott of British Goods: Encouraged the Indian masses to boycott British goods and promote Swadeshi (domestic) products to promote economic self-reliance by supporting local industries and crafts.
- National Education: The boycott of British schools led to the founding of national schools focused on Indian values.
- The 1905 Carlyle Circular threatened to withdraw scholarships from protesting students, causing many to leave British institutions.
- In 1906, the National Council of Education was formed, resulting in the later establishment of the Bengal National College and the Bengal Technical Institute.
- Formation of Samitis: Various volunteer organizations, known as samitis, were formed to propagate the Swadeshi message.
- The Swadesh Bandhab Samiti, led by Ashwini Kumar Dutta in Barisal, became a powerful tool for mass mobilization.
- Use Traditional Popular Festivals and Melas: Festivals like Ganapati and Shivaji were used to spread Swadeshi messages across India, including Bengal.
- Rabindranath Tagore used Raksha Bandhan as a symbol of unity to oppose the 1905 Bengal partition.
- Emphasis on Self-Reliance: The movement promoted ‘Atma Shakti’ (self-strength), linking national dignity with social reforms like fighting caste oppression, early marriage, dowry, and alcohol abuse.
- Phases of Swadeshi Movement:
- Moderate Phase:The movement began with moderates using petitions and meetings but shifted to radical methods after these efforts failed.
- Leaders like Surendranath Banerjee supported the movement as a means to promote self-reliance.
- Radical Phase: Leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, part of the Lal-Bal-Pal triumvirate, pushed for direct confrontation with the British.
- They expanded the movement into a call for Swaraj (self-rule) advocating boycott of British goods, institutions, and services, and supported both passive resistance and armed struggle.
- Impact:
- Indian National Congress (INC): It condemned Bengal’s partition and supported the Swadeshi Movement. In the 1906 Calcutta session, under Dadabhai Naoroji, INC declared Swaraj as its goal.
- The Moderate-Extremist dispute over the movement’s pace and methods led to a party split at the 1907 Surat session.
- Social: Rabindranath Tagore wrote ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’, which later became Bangladesh’s national anthem and united Bengalis against Bengal’s partition.
- Artists like Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose enriched Indian art and cultural pride.
- The movement aimed for Swaraj through boycott and passive resistance, needing mass awakening and participation. Support came mainly from the educated middle class, aristocrats, and merchants, while many peasants and workers remained less involved.
- Women played a vital role by boycotting British goods and promoting local crafts.
- Impact on British rule: India witnessed a significant decline in foreign imports from 1905 to 1908. It pressured the British to introduce Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) which aimed to address growing Indian demands for greater representation.
- The Swadeshi Movement boosted Indian industries like handloom and textiles, leading to new enterprises such as Bengal Chemicals and Lakshmi Cotton Mills.
- Politically, it shifted focus from petitions to demanding Swaraj, fueling revolutionary activism.
- It also strengthened nationalism by promoting pride, unity, and self-reliance against colonial rule.
- Annulment of Participation of Bengal: In 1911 Lord Hardinge annulled the Partition of Bengal primarily to stop the rising tide of revolutionary terrorism and unrest in the region.
What is the Contemporary Relevance of the Swadeshi Movement in India?
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: The Swadeshi Movement’s ideals are revived through the Self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) mission which aims to promote Indian goods globally and achieve self-reliance.
- Launched during the pandemic with a Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus (~10% of GDP), it focuses on themes like ‘local for global’ and ‘vocal for local.’
- Key goals include making India a global supply chain hub, boosting private sector trust, supporting Indian manufacturers, and expanding exports in agriculture, textiles, clothing, jewelry, pharma and defence.
- Make in India Initiative: It promotes India as a global manufacturing hub, encouraging local and foreign companies to produce domestically, echoing the Swadeshi Movement’s focus on self-sufficiency and local industry.
- Make in India improved ease of doing business, boosting FDI from USD 45 billion in 2015 to USD 81.04 billion in FY 2024-25.
- Exports hit USD 437 billion in 2024, with pharmaceuticals supplying 60% of the world’s vaccines.
- Defense exports grew, and India rose to 39th in the 2024 Global Innovation Index.
- 'Made in Bihar' boots have been incorporated into the Russian Army’s equipment.
- The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes aim to enhance domestic manufacturing and boost exports by covering 14 key sectors.
- Revival of Khadi and Cottage Industries: Khadi movement, a socio-cultural narrative, was launched by Gandhiji promoted the use of Swadeshi products and urged boycotting foreign goods, remains relevant today, with KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) achieving significant growth in turnover.
- Over the past 11 years (2013–2025), KVIC production rose by 347% and sales by 447%. Employment grew by 49.23%, providing jobs to 1.94 crore individuals.
- Economic Nationalism and Protectionism: Rooted in the Swadeshi Movement, prioritizes domestic industries through import substitution, trade tariffs, and incentives for Indian companies.
- These policies aim to reduce dependency on global supply chains, especially in critical sectors like defense, healthcare, and energy.
Role of Handloom Sector in India’s Economy
- Economic Significance: The handloom sector is the largest cottage industry in India, employing over 35 lakh workers, many of whom are women.
- 72% of handloom weavers are women, providing them with economic independence.
- Sustainable Living: Handloom products are eco-friendly, support rural livelihoods, and empower women, all while preserving India’s cultural heritage.
- Export: India is the world’s largest producer of handwoven fabric, accounting for 95% of global handloom output.
- India’s major handloom exports include mats, carpets, rugs, bedsheets, cushion covers, and silk scarves.
- India exported handloom cotton yarn, fabrics, and made-ups worth about USD 10.94 billion in FY23. In FY24, exports went to over 20 countries, with the US as the largest importer, followed by the UAE, Spain, the UK, France, and Italy.
India’s Initiatives Related to Handloom
- National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): Promotes sustainable growth by providing raw materials, design support, technology upgrades, marketing assistance, and infrastructure like Urban Haats.
- Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS): Ensures quality yarn at subsidized rates, reimburses freight charges, and offers a 15% yarn subsidy to help handloom weavers compete with power-looms.
- Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY): Offers low-interest loans to weavers.
- Workshed Scheme: Provides dedicated workspace near the weaver’s home for the entire family. Each unit costs Rs 1.2 lakh. Marginalized weavers get 100% financial aid and others receive 75%.
- Protecting Traditional Designs: Under the Geographical Indication (GI) Act, 1999, a total of 104 handloom products have been registered for GI.
- GeM: Around 1.8 lakh weavers onboarded on Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
- Welfare Measures: Social security is provided via Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and converged Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY)
|
Drishti Mains Question:
What is the contemporary relevance of the Swadeshi Movement’s ideas in India’s current economic strategies?
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements : (2023)
Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.
Statement-II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Ans: (a)
Q. With reference to the Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements: (2019)
- It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
- The National Council of Education was established as a part of the Swadeshi Movement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movement. (2020)

Money Laundering Issue in India
09-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
A report submitted by the Finance Minister in the Rajya Sabha reveals that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken up 5,892 cases under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 since 2015 but secured only 15 convictions.
- Also, in another development the Supreme Court held that ED must follow the rule of law, urged fast-track courts for PMLA cases, and called for cryptocurrency regulation to prevent misuse without banning it.
What is Money Laundering?
- About: It is the process of disguising illegal proceeds from criminal activities (e.g., drug trafficking, smuggling, arms trade, embezzlement) to make them appear legitimate, enabling criminals to enjoy profits without detection.
- It involves changing the source, form, or location of funds to avoid scrutiny.
- 3 Key Stages: Money laundering involves placement (introducing illicit funds), layering (disguising their origin), and integration (making them appear legitimate).
- Key Methods: Key methods include structuring/ smurfing (splitting large cash into smaller), trade-based laundering, shell companies, and real estate investments.
What are the Key Reasons for Rising Money Laundering Cases in India?
- Legal and Enforcement Gaps: Misuse of Section 5 of PMLA (property attachment without registered offence) and delays in prosecution reduce effectiveness.
- Complex Laundering Techniques: Use of digital currencies/ cryptocurrencies, fintech, and cross-border mechanisms make detection difficult.
- In the Rs 260 crore global cyber fraud case, the ED found that the funds were converted into cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and USDT, which were then laundered through hawala operators and individuals in the UAE.
- Shadow Economy & Cash-Based Sectors: High informal sector presence and lax regulation in real estate, jewellery, and luxury goods.
- Weak Global Cooperation: Despite Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with 85+ countries, limited information sharing hampers investigation.
What are the Key Consequences of Money Laundering?
- Fueling Organised Crime & Terrorism: Laundered funds sustain criminal networks, drug/human trafficking and terror financing.
- Erosion of Public Trust: Encourages corruption and weakens democratic institutions.
- Impact on Vulnerable Groups: Diverts public funds meant for welfare, widening socio-economic inequality.
- Economic Distortion: Undermines monetary policy, creates capital flow volatility, inflates real estate prices, deters FDI, and causes financial instability.
Laundromat
- A “laundromat” refers to a complex web of banking channels, shell firms, and offshore accounts used to clean illicit funds. The term originated from US crime syndicates using laundromats as fronts for laundering.
What is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002?
- About: PMLA, 2002 (enforced in 2005) was enacted to prevent money laundering and provide for the confiscation of property derived from such activities.
- It targets laundering linked to crimes like drug trafficking, smuggling, and terror financing.
- Enacted under Article 253 of the Constitution to fulfill international commitments.
- Key Provisions of PMLA:
- Attachment, Seizure & Confiscation: The Act empowers authorities to attach, seize, and confiscate property derived from crime.
- These actions are overseen by an Adjudicating Authority and require the existence of a scheduled offence (offence against the state).
- Initiation of Proceedings & ECIR: Proceedings can be initiated based on an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) filed by the ED & no FIR is required.
- The ECIR acts as the starting point for investigation under PMLA.
- The ED derives its powers under PMLA, 2002 from various sections (3, 4, 5, 16, 17 etc) to investigate, attach, seize, and prosecute offenses related to money laundering.
- Bail Conditions (Section 45): The accused must prima facie prove innocence and assure the court of no likelihood of reoffending to secure bail.
- Institutional Mechanisms: Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) receives and analyses suspicious transaction reports from banks and financial institutions.
- The Appellate Tribunal hears appeals against orders passed by the Adjudicating Authority.
- Recent Amendments Related to PMLA: 2019 amendment to PMLA, introduced of Rule 3A, allowing Special Courts to notify claimants for confiscated property after charges are framed.
- The 2023 amendment expanded disclosure obligations for NGOs and redefined Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) to include prominent foreign officials, aligning with FATF standards.
- Global Cooperation: India has signed DTAAs with over 85 countries for:
- Facilitating exchange of financial and tax-related information.
- Enabling tracing of offshore accounts and investments.
- Preventing tax evasion and illegal fund transfers.
Key Judicial Cases Related ED
- In P. Chidambaram vs. ED, 2019, case Supreme Court (SC) held that concealing the illegal source of money impacts the financial system and threatens the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
- In Vir Bhadra Singh vs. ED, 2017 case, SC reiterated that FIR is not essential as ECIR is enough to proceed.
- In Vijay Madanlal Chaudhury vs. Union of India, 2022 case, SC held that registration of a scheduled offence is mandatory for prosecution (Sec 3), but not for property attachment (Sec 5)
- This provision is often misused against dissenting voices or political opponents.
What Measures Should be Taken to Tackle the Issue Money Laundering?
- Strict Compliance with FATF Norms: Authorities must align enforcement with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and checks against misuse.
- Independent &Fair Investigations: Enforcement agencies should act independently, free from political bias, ensuring genuine cases are prioritized and rights of individuals protected.
- Strengthening Evidence Collection & Coordination: Improve financial intelligence mechanisms, inter-agency coordination (ED, FIU, Income Tax Dept.), and use of digital forensics to increase conviction rates.
- Effective Use of DTAA Mechanisms: Enhance data exchange protocols and real-time cooperation with foreign counterparts to track illicit financial flows and plug treaty loopholes.
- Judicial Oversight & Safeguards: Ensure greater judicial scrutiny in attachment and prosecution processes under PMLA to prevent arbitrary action and uphold due process of law.
Conclusion
Money laundering is a grave threat to India’s financial stability and national security. While the PMLA offers a strong legal framework, its implementation is marred by delays, misuse, and low conviction rates. Combating this menace requires legal reforms, enhanced international cooperation, and strengthened institutional accountability.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss India’s institutional and legal measures to combat money laundering. What are the key challenges and the way forward?
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q1. Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. (2021)
Q2. Money laundering poses a serious threat to a country's economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace? (2013)
Q3. India’s proximity to the two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (2018)

RBI’s Recommendations on Liquidity Management Framework
09-08-2025
Source: BS
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Internal Working Group (IWG) has submitted its recommendations to improve the efficiency and predictability of the Liquidity Management Framework (LMF), which has been in operation since February 2020.
What is RBI's Liquidity Management Framework (LMF)?
- About: The LMF is essentially the toolkit the RBI uses to manage the amount of cash in the banking system, helping steer short-term interest rates and ensuring smooth monetary policy transmission.
- Core Mechanism: At LMF core, it relies on the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) that is the repo and reverse repo mechanism through which RBI injects or absorbs liquidity as needed.
- This framework typically operates with a "corridor system," where the policy repo rate sits in the middle. The overnight Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) serves as the key operating target for monetary policy.
- Other Tools in LMF: The LMF also includes other tools like Open Market Operations (OMO), Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) for longer-term and structural liquidity adjustments.
Recommendations of RBI on Liquidity Management Framework (LMF)
- WACR as the Operating Target: IWG recommends continuing to use the overnight WACR as the operating target for monetary policy.
- Rationale: WACR has shown a high correlation with other overnight collateralized money market rates, making it an effective tool for transmitting monetary policy signals.
- It remains a reliable instrument for ensuring smooth transmission of rates across different segments of the money market.
- Discontinue the 14-day VRR/VRRR Auctions: 14-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) and Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auctions should no longer be the primary operations for managing transient liquidity.
- Instead, the RBI should manage transient liquidity primarily through 7-day repo/reverse repo operations and other operations with tenors ranging from overnight to 14 days.
- Rationale: 14-day VRR/VRRR auctions have seen lower participation, with banks preferring shorter-term tools like the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF).
- Shorter-term operations are more effective in managing liquidity needs without causing dislocations in the market.
- Advance Notice for Repo/Reverse Repo Operations: The RBI should provide at least one day’s advance notice for conducting repo/reverse repo operations.
- IWG recommends, if required, the RBI may conduct same-day repo/reverse repo operations in response to evolving liquidity conditions.
- Rationale: Advance notice reduces market uncertainty and helps smooth money market rates.
- Minimum CRR Requirement: The RBI should continue to enforce the 90% daily minimum requirement for maintaining the CRR.
- Rationale: This requirement ensures that banks maintain sufficient reserves, thereby preventing liquidity shortfalls.
Key Terms Related to RBI's LMF
- Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR): It is the average interest rate at which banks borrow and lend money to each other for one day (overnight) in the call money market, weighted by the volume of transactions.
- It’s the RBI’s main operating target for monetary policy to signal short-term interest rates.
- Variable Rate Repo (VRR): It is an RBI tool used to manage short-term liquidity. Unlike the fixed repo, where the rate is pre-set, VRR uses an auction mechanism to determine the lending rate based on market demand.
- Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR): It is a monetary policy tool used by the RBI to absorb excess liquidity through auctions, where banks bid at variable interest rates to place short-term deposits with the RBI and earn interest in return.
- Unlike the fixed reverse repo, VRRR rates are set via auctions, letting market forces decide and helping RBI absorb excess liquidity more effectively.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do? (2020)
- Cut and optimize the Statutory Liquidity Ratio
- Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate
- Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q.Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? (2017)
- It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates.
- It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year.
- It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Ans: (a)

India-UAE 13th JDCC
09-08-2025
Source: PIB
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence ties during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting held in New Delhi.
Key Outcomes of 13th JDCC Meet:
- India-UAE enhanced military training and signed an MoU between Indian Coast Guard and UAE National Guard for maritime security, including SAR, anti-piracy, pollution response, and real-time info sharing in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Advanced joint defence manufacturing through the ICOMM-CARACAL small arms partnership and explored co-development of AI and shipbuilding technologies, including refits and maintenance of shared platforms.
- Held inter-service (Army, Navy & Air Force) talks to boost joint exercises, training, Subject Matter Expert (SME) exchange, inter-service coordination, and tri-service interoperability.
Significance of India- UAE Relations:
- The UAE is India’s 3rd-largest trading partner and 2nd-largest export destination, while India is UAE’s 2nd-largest trading partner.
- India- UAE share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with deepened political, defence, and strategic ties.
- It includes petroleum, gems, agriculture, textiles, chemicals, and engineering goods.
- The UAE is a vital oil supplier and contributor to India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR), crucial for India’s energy security and Gulf stability.
- India and the UAE have signed an MoU to establish a Local Currency Settlement System and integrated payment systems, facilitating smoother cross-border transactions.
- UAE’s role in strategic platforms like I2U2, IMEC and the Abraham Accords strengthens India’s connectivity, economic influence, and energy security.
- The UAE hosts 3.5 million Indians, and the construction of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi reflects strong cultural and economic ties.

Immunology Research in India
08-11-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded for discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance. This recognition once again places immunology at the heart of modern biomedical science and public health - an area increasingly relevant for India’s healthcare and research landscape.
What is Immunology?
- About:
- Immunology is the branch of biomedical science that studies the body’s immune system - its organs, cells, and molecules that protect against infection, disease, and foreign substances.
- It explores how the immune system identifies and neutralizes pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
- It also examines how this system sometimes malfunctions, leading to autoimmune diseases, allergies, cancers, or organ transplant rejections.
- Modern immunology forms the backbone of vaccine development, immunotherapies, and pandemic preparedness, directly impacting public health and global disease control.
- Need for Immunology Research:
- Healthcare burden: India faces a dual burden of infectious diseases (communicable) and rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
- Immunology links both domains: e.g., vaccines against infectious diseases, and immune-based therapies for cancers and autoimmune disorders.
- Vaccine and research capability: The pandemic highlighted how immunology underpins rapid vaccine development, public health responses, and hence economic and social resilience.
- Innovation opportunity: With large population size, genetic diversity and unique disease patterns, India has the potential to contribute to global immunology research (e.g., population-specific vaccines, cheaper immunotherapies) if the infrastructure and human-capital are in place.
- Global health leadership: As global health becomes more important, countries that lead in immunology will shape future medical practice, supply chains, biotech and public health policy. India should not remain a consumer but become a producer of knowledge and technology.
Government Initiatives to Strengthen Immunological Research
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT) – Funds immunology research projects and vaccine development programmes.
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Supports translational research in infectious and non-infectious immunological disorders.
- National Vaccine Policy (2011) and Mission COVID Suraksha (2020) – Encourage indigenous vaccine R&D and production.
- BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) – Promotes academia-industry collaboration in biotechnology and immunotherapy.
- National Institute of Immunology (NII) – A premier institute advancing research on immune system mechanisms, diseases, and vaccines.
- National Biopharma Mission – Aims to boost development of affordable biologics and next-generation therapeutics, including immunotherapies.
What are the Key Issues Impacting Immunological Research in India?
- Limited Immunology Education: Immunology and molecular biology receive limited emphasis in medical and undergraduate curricula. Only select institutes such as AIIMS, IISc, and NIBMG provide in-depth courses, creating a shortage of trained immunologists.
- Funding Gaps: Funding gaps persist as research grants are typically short-term (3-5 years), limiting long-term, high-risk immunology projects, with the ecosystem prioritizing quick results over in-depth scientific exploration.
- Fragmented Research Ecosystem: Collaboration between basic scientists, clinicians, and industry remains weak. Discoveries in institutions like IITs or IISERs often fail to progress to clinical validation due to the absence of structured translational frameworks.
- High Treatment Costs: Advanced immunotherapies, including CAR-T cell therapy, remain unaffordable for most Indians (₹30–40 lakh per dose).
- Brain Drain and Infrastructure Constraints: Inadequate high-end labs, limited BSL-3 facilities, and few stable academic positions drive skilled researchers abroad.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Lengthy and overlapping approval processes involving ICMR, DBT, and CDSCO delay immunology research and clinical trials. Lack of a unified biomedical regulatory authority increases compliance burdens and deters innovation.
- Weak Public Health Integration: While vaccination under Ayushman Bharat and NTEP is extensive, immune surveillance and regional immunogenomic data remain underused for predicting outbreaks or tailoring vaccines.
Way Forward
- Curriculum and Human Capital Development: Immunology must be strengthened in medical and life science education through revised National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.
- Laboratory-based learning should be incorporated using modern techniques such as Flow Cytometry and ELISA to provide hands-on skills.
- Regional Immunology Teaching Laboratories in major universities across India can serve as national training hubs to develop a strong scientific workforce.
- Research and Infrastructure Investment: 15-20% of life science research funding from agencies like DBT, ICMR, and DST should be allocated specifically to immunology, focusing on areas such as tuberculosis immunity, dengue, autoimmune disorders, and cancer resistance mechanisms.
- The establishment of Regional Immunology Research Centres and Biobanks will facilitate large-scale immunogenetic studies, advancing research in these critical areas.
- Translational Science and Innovation: Public-private partnerships should be encouraged through initiatives like BIRAC’s Translational Immunology Grant to develop low-cost vaccines and biosimilars.
- Policy and Global Integration: Immunological strategies should be embedded in the National Health Policy and Pandemic Preparedness Plan. Enhanced collaboration with WHO and global institutions will ensure India’s leadership in immunology research and application.
Conclusion
India stands at a pivotal moment, where advancing immunology can address both its unique healthcare needs and contribute to global medical progress. By strengthening its research infrastructure and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, India has the potential to become a leader in immunological innovation, ensuring that the benefits of these breakthroughs are felt both domestically and worldwide.
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Drishti Mains Question
Q.Discuss the growing significance of immunology in modern medicine and evaluate India’s preparedness to harness its potential for public health and biomedical innovation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Immunology?
Immunology is the scientific study of the immune system’s structure, functions, and disorders, forming the foundation for vaccines, immunotherapies, and disease prevention.
2. What is Peripheral Immune Tolerance?
It is the mechanism by which regulatory T cells prevent the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues, maintaining immune balance and self-tolerance.
3. Why was the 2025 Nobel Prize awarded in Medicine?
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi received it for discovering regulatory T cells and their role in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance.
4. How is India promoting immunology research?
Through initiatives like DBT, ICMR, NII, BIRAC, and the National Biopharma Mission, supporting vaccine R&D, immunotherapies, and public-private collaboration in biotechnology.

India Demonstrates 500 km Quantum Key Distribution Network
08-11-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
In a landmark achievement under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), Startup QNu Labs demonstrated India’s first 500 km Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network over existing optical fiber infrastructure.
- This strengthens India’s quantum capabilities and advances quantum-secure communication and cyber defense.
What is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Network?
- About: QKD is a secure communication technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to generate and share encryption keys between two parties, ensuring that the data exchanged cannot be intercepted or hacked — even by quantum computers.
- Its core promise is to detect the presence of any third party trying to eavesdrop on the key exchange.
- Core Principle: The strong security of QKD is based on two key quantum principles:
- No-Cloning Theorem: An unknown quantum state cannot be copied, so an eavesdropper cannot duplicate photons without changing them.
- Observer Effect: Measuring quantum particles disturbs them, meaning any attempt to spy on the key creates detectable changes.
- Functioning: QKD uses qubits (quantum bits) transmitted through optical fibers via total internal reflection to securely exchange encryption keys between two users.
- Unlike classical bits, qubits, encoded on photons, are highly sensitive to interference, and any eavesdropping disrupts them, enabling tamper-evident quantum encryption.
- QKD enables distant users to create a shared secret key authenticated by classical cryptography.
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- Significance:
- Future-Proof Security: QKD is inherently secure against quantum computers, relying on quantum laws rather than computational difficulty, unlike classical encryption.
- Eavesdropper Detection: It offers provable, information-theoretic security, detecting any intrusion and allowing compromised keys to be discarded.
- Critical Infrastructure Protection: QKD safeguards government, military, financial, and national assets, preventing the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat.
- Digital Sovereignty and Innovation: Indigenous QKD development enhances digital sovereignty, builds trust in digital ecosystems, and drives technological advancement and economic opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)?
QKD is a quantum-secure communication technology that generates encryption keys using quantum mechanics, ensuring tamper-evident and unhackable data exchange.
2. What is the National Quantum Mission (NQM)?
NQM is India’s flagship initiative to promote quantum research, communication, computing, and sensing, aiming to make India a global leader in quantum technologies.
3. How does QKD enhance cybersecurity for India?
By providing future-proof, tamper-evident encryption, QKD protects government, military, and financial networks against quantum and classical cyber threats.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned? (2022)
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies
Ans: (b)

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025
08-10-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Nobel Assembly at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet has awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Mary E. Brunkow (US), Fred Ramsdell (US), and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan).
- They were recognized for their discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance, particularly regarding regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the FOXP3 (Forkhead Box Protein P3) gene.

Indian Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine: In 1968, Har Gobind Khorana from India was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with Marshall Nirenberg and Robert Holley from the US, for their interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis.
What are the Key Discoveries of the 2025 Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine?
- Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan): Discovered the existence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in 1995, showing that some T cells act as “immune system security guards” to prevent autoimmune attacks.
- Mary Brunkow (USA) and Fred Ramsdell (USA): In 2001, identified that mutations in the FOXP3 gene caused a rare autoimmune disease (IPEX) in humans and similar immune dysfunctions in mice.
- Combined Contribution: Sakaguchi later discovered that the FOXP3 gene controls the development of regulatory T cells, explaining how the immune system maintains peripheral tolerance.
Significance of Discoveries
- Cancer therapy: Targeting Tregs around tumors could make immune attacks on cancer cells more effective.
- Autoimmune diseases: Boosting Tregs may prevent the immune system from attacking the body.
- Transplantation: Better regulation of T cells reduces organ rejection.
What are the Key Facts About the Human Immune System?
- About: The immune system is the body's defense mechanism against harmful invaders like pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites), as well as abnormal cells such as cancer cells.
- The immune system can be broadly divided into innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
- Innate Immunity (Non-Specific Defense): It provides a rapid, generalized response against pathogens through physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), phagocytes (macrophages, neutrophils), and inflammation (helps isolate and destroy pathogens).
- Adaptive Immunity (Specific Defense): It provides a more targeted, specific response to pathogens and has a "memory" that enables the body to respond more efficiently if the same pathogen invades again.
- Key elements include:
- T-cells: Part of the adaptive immune response, T-cells are a type of white blood cell involved in recognizing and destroying infected cells.
- B-cells: These cells produce antibodies (proteins) that specifically target and neutralize foreign antigens (e.g., viruses or bacteria).
- Immune Tolerance: The immune system must distinguish harmful invaders from the body’s own cells, maintaining self-tolerance to prevent autoimmune diseases (conditions where the body attacks its own tissues).
- Central Tolerance: This occurs in primary lymphoid organs such as the bone marrow and the thymus, where self-reactive immune cells (cells that could attack the body’s own tissues) are eliminated or rendered inactive.
- Peripheral Tolerance: This involves mechanisms in the body’s tissues that prevent any remaining self-reactive cells from becoming active.
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are central to peripheral tolerance, ensuring that the immune system does not attack its own tissues.
- Role of Regulatory T Cells (Tregs): Tregs are a specialized subset of T-cells that act as "peacekeepers" of the immune system that suppress immune responses, helping to maintain immune tolerance.
- They are crucial in preventing autoimmune diseases. These cells help control immune responses to avoid excessive inflammation and tissue damage, and they play a critical role in preventing autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine?
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi won for discovering regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the FOXP3 gene involved in immune tolerance.
- What is the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs)?
Tregs act as “peacekeepers” of the immune system, preventing autoimmune reactions by ensuring self-tolerance.
- What is peripheral immune tolerance?
It is the mechanism by which the immune system prevents self-reactive cells from attacking the body’s own tissues, maintaining immune balance.
- Who is the only Indian Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine?
Har Gobind Khorana, awarded in 1968 for interpreting the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Nobel Prize winning scientist James D. Watson is known for his work in which area? (2008)
(a) Metallurgy
(b) Meteorology
(c) Environmental protection
(d) Genetics
Ans: (d)
Swadesh Darshan Scheme
08-08-2025
Source: PIB
The Ministry of Tourism undertook a review of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) following the CAG’s performance audit.
- The review emphasized institutional strengthening, data-driven destination selection, infrastructure benchmarking, and integration of hard (infrastructure) and soft (capacity building) interventions.
- Focus areas included monitoring, sustainable operations, promotion, and impact assessment for long-term sustainability.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS & SD2.0)
- Launched in 2014-15, SDS is a 100% centrally funded Central Sector Scheme aimed at sustainable and responsible tourism through integrated development of theme-based circuits (e.g., Buddhist, Heritage).
- It provides financial support to States/UTs/Central Agencies for infrastructure development.
- SD2.0 shifts to destination-centric, sustainable tourism, aligned with ‘Vocal for Local’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, encouraging private sector investment in tourism and hospitality.
- Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme under SD2.0, follows a competitive model focusing on sustainability, digitalization, skill development, MSME support, and efficient management.
Key Initiatives for Tourism Development
Inland Water Transport in India
08-08-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
National Waterway-57 (Kopili River) in Assam has been operationalised, boosting Inland Water Transport under Maritime India Vision 2030 and PM Gati Shakti.
- Now, four National Waterways in Assam- Brahmaputra (NW 2), Barak (NW 16), Dhansiri (NW 31), and Kopili (NW 57), are fully operational.
Key Facts Related to Inland Waterways and Transport in India
- Inland Waterways: Inland Waterways are stretches of water such as navigable rivers, lakes, and canals (excluding the sea), used for transporting goods and people.
- Key Features: For a waterway to be classified as an inland waterway, it must support vessels with a minimum carrying capacity of 50 tonnes when fully loaded.
- National Transport Policy Committee (1980) recommended the following few criteria for declaring a national waterway:
- 45m wide channel and a minimum depth of 1.5m.
- Continuous stretch of at least 50 km, with exceptions for urban or intra-port areas.
- The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established in October 1986, is the nodal agency for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
- Only National Waterways are under the Central Government; others fall under State Government jurisdiction.
- Inland Water Transport (IWT):
- About: Inland Water Transport (IWT) involves the movement of cargo and passengers through navigable rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks. It is cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
- India has 14,500 km of navigable waterways.
- Legislative Framework:
- Growth of IWT in India:
- Operational National Waterways (NWs) grew by an impressive 767% from 3 (2014-15) to 29 (2024-25).
- The total operational length of National Waterways expanded from 2,716 km (2014-15) to 4,894 km (2023-24).
- Cargo traffic surged dramatically from 18.07 MMT (2013-14) to 133 MMT (2023-24), reflecting a CAGR of 22.10%.
- Future Projections: The IWAI aims to increase the freight share of inland waterways from 2% to 5% by 2030, with a target of 200+ MMT of cargo traffic.
- By 2047 (Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision), India aims to achieve 500+ MMT of cargo movement via inland waterways.
How Can Inland Waterways Support India’s Maritime Vision 2030?
- Eco-friendly Transport: IWT is an environmentally friendly option, emitting only 32-36 g CO₂ per ton-km, far lower than 51-91 g by road.
- It causes negligible noise and water pollution, aligning with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Panchamrit climate goals.
- IWT seamlessly integrates with rail, road, and sea transport, strengthening multimodal logistics hubs and also aids in decongesting transport systems, facilitating faster cargo movement.
- Cost-effective & Fuel Efficient: IWT is the most cost-effective mode of transport, costing just Rs 0.25-0.30 per ton-km, significantly cheaper than Rs 1.0 by rail and Rs 1.5 by road.
- It is also highly fuel-efficient, moving 105 ton-km per litre, compared to 85 by rail and 24 by road.
- Logistics & Economic Gains: Inland Waterways can reduce logistics costs from 14% to 9% of GDP, saving India approximately USD 50 billion annually.
- This improves India’s global competitiveness, helping achieve the goal of becoming a top 25 logistics performer by 2030.
- Inland cruise tourism & ferry services on rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, Kerala backwaters boost employment, promote eco-tourism, and align with Blue Economy goals.
- Strategic Connectivity: IWT requires minimal land acquisition, avoiding displacement and ecological disruption.
- It ensures last-mile access to remote and eco-sensitive regions, such as the Northeast, and Sundarbans.
- It also supports national security and disaster resilience by enabling efficient movement of goods and personnel during emergencies.
Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030
- About: Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 is a strategic blueprint to position India as a global maritime hub, focusing on enhancing port-led development and blue economy growth.
- Objective: It outlines 150 initiatives under 10 core themes, including port infrastructure, logistics efficiency, shipbuilding, coastal and inland waterways, technology adoption, and environmental sustainability.
- Key Targets:
 2030.webp)
What are the Key Challenges in Unlocking the Full Potential of Inland Waterways in India?
- Seasonal Navigability Constraints: Most Indian rivers are non-perennial, with significant depth fluctuations during dry seasons, limiting year-round navigation.
- Infrastructure Gaps: National Waterways lack essential infrastructure such as jetties, terminals, vessels, and navigational aids.
- There's inadequate multimodal integration, poor mapping of industrial clusters, and high capital costs with limited access to financing.
- Inadequate Depth: Many waterways lack the required draft (minimum water depth), limiting navigation for large cargo vessels and reducing efficiency and cargo capacity.
- Underutilisation of Waterways: Only 3.5% of trade in India moves via waterways, much lower than China (47%), Europe (40%), and Bangladesh (35%), signaling underuse of the potential.
- High Siltation & Environmental Concerns: Frequent siltation requires regular and costly dredging to maintain the necessary channel depth and ensure navigability.
- Limited first/last-mile connectivity and time delays push industries towards road/rail transport.
- Dredging and port developments also degrade aquatic ecosystems and disrupt riverine communities.
What are the Key Initiatives to Boost Inland Waterways?
What Measures Should be Taken to Improve the IWT in India?
- Integrated & Sustainable Infrastructure Development: Enhance multimodal connectivity under PM Gati Shakti and Sagarmala by linking IWT with rail, road, and coastal networks.
- Revive dormant waterways (e.g., Kopili model) in states like Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal with sustainable dredging, EIA compliance, and green vessels for eco-friendly navigation.
- Private Participation & Financial Incentives: Promote PPP in vessel manufacturing, terminal development, and cargo handling by offering tax benefits, financial incentives, and setting up Inland Waterways Development Funds.
- Encourage innovation in logistics through e-platforms, River Information Systems (RIS), and GPS tracking.
- Cargo & Passenger Movement Boost: Integrate IWT with economic hubs like PM MITRA Parks and Mega Food Parks to improve cargo flows.
- Expand passenger transport via Cruise Bharat Mission and incentivize cargo movement under the Jalvahak Scheme through scheduled services on key National Waterways.
- Capacity Building & Community Development: Invest in skilling workforce in riverine areas for IWT operations and maintenance.
- Conserve traditional navigation through Riverine Community Development Scheme, fostering employment and sustainable livelihoods at the grassroots level.
Conclusion
Inland Water Transport (IWT) is a cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly mode of cargo movement. Its development under initiatives like Sagarmala and PM Gati Shakti can Strengthen IWT to achieve sustainable logistics and India’s USD 5 trillion economy vision.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the potential and challenges of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in India. Suggest measures for its effective integration into the national logistics network.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India. (2016)
MS Swaminathan Centenary Conference
08-08-2025
Source: PIB
The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at New Delhi celebrating the legacy of the father of India’s Green Revolution.
- Theme: Evergreen Revolution: The Pathway to Biohappiness. It focuses on food security, sustainability, and inclusive development.
- Contribution of MS Swaminathan: He introduced high-yielding crops, boosting India’s food security, and collaborated with Norman Borlaug (Father of Green Revolution in the world) on semi-dwarf wheat, leading to an increase in wheat production.
- He was also a pioneer in mangrove restoration and sustainable farming, promoting an evergreen revolution for eco-friendly agricultural growth.
- Recognition & Legacy: He was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2024 and honoured as the Father of Economic Ecology by UNEP for linking agriculture with sustainable ecological practices.

ISRO Space Analog Mission ‘HOPE’
08-08-2025
Source: ISRO
Why in News?
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has inaugurated the Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) space analog mission at Tso Kar Valley (Ladakh) to simulate and study challenges linked to long-duration space missions.
What is the HOPE Mission?
- About: It is part of ISRO's Indian Human Spaceflight Programme, aimed at simulating space-like conditions to test technologies and human health protocols for future interplanetary missions, particularly those involving the Moon and Mars.
- Objective: To study critical physiological, psychological, and operational challenges and improve mission planning and preparedness for human space exploration in human spaceflight.
- It focuses on epigenetic, genomic analysis, health monitoring protocols, and microbial sample techniques.
- Site Selection: Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh was selected for its Mars-like environment-high UV radiation, low air pressure, salty frozen ground, and cold temperatures (15°C to -10°C).
- Oxygen levels are only 40% of sea level, and the rocky, sandy soil resembles Martian soil.
- It enables testing of life support systems, habitat technology, and rover movement, while supporting research on using In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and astrobiology.
- Significance: The mission plays a crucial role in preparing for future crewed missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) including Gaganyaan, and an Indian lunar landing by 2040.
- It generates vital data, strengthens technological readiness and health protocols, and promotes Atmanirbhar space research through public-private-academic collaboration.
Note:
Earlier Analog Missions in Space Research
- India:
- Ladakh Human Analog Mission (LHAM), Leh (2024): ISRO’s first Mars and Moon analog mission began to test space habitat technologies under simulated space conditions.
- Anugami (July 2025): A 10-day analog experiment under Gaganyaan Analog Experiment (GANEX) to advance human spaceflight readiness.
- Worldwide
- Desert RATS (NASA): Conducted in Arizona deserts to test rovers and extravehicular activity (EVA) for Moon and Mars missions.
- NEEMO (NASA): Astronauts live in Aquarius, the world’s only undersea research station, simulating space mission conditions.
- HI-SEAS: A Mars and Moon analog station in Hawai‘i, run by the International MoonBase Alliance (IMA) to support lunar exploration and research.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO
- is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
- made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
- made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Need for Early Warning Systems in the Himalayas
07-11-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The rising frequency of disasters in the Himalayan region has underscored the urgent need for robust Early Warning Systems (EWS) to predict and mitigate such events.
What is an Early Warning System (EWS)?
- About: An Early Warning System (EWS) is a framework designed to detect, predict, and communicate the risk of hazards in advance, allowing timely action to reduce loss of life and property.
- Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: Multi-hazard early warning systems address several hazards that may occur alone or simultaneously.
- Key Components:
- Risk Knowledge: Understanding hazard-prone areas.
- Monitoring & Forecasting: Using sensors, satellites, and AI for real-time data.
- Dissemination: Rapid communication of warnings to authorities and communities.
- Response Capability: Local preparedness and evacuation measures.
What is the Need for EWS in the Himalayas?
- Rising Disaster Vulnerability: A Down To Earth report notes that of 687 disasters recorded in India (1900–2022), about 240 occurred in the Himalayas - up from just five between 1902 and 1962.
- Impact of Climate Change: There is a rapid glacial retreat and permafrost melt, which increases flood and slope instability.
- A 2024 Climate Change Journal study warns that 90% of the Himalayas could face year-long droughts if global warming reaches 3°C.
- Tectonic and Geological Fragility: The Himalayas remain tectonically active as the Indian and Eurasian plates continue to collide.
- Major fault lines (Dhaulagiri, Indus-Ganga) in Seismic Zones IV and V trigger frequent earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches like the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
- Glacial, Hydrological, and Rainfall Hazards: Thousands of glaciers and glacial lakes pose risks of GLOFs, as seen in the 2023 South Lhonak Lake disaster in Sikkim.
- Cloudbursts and extreme rainfall events cause flash floods, e.g., Chamoli and Uttarkashi (2021).
- Deforestation, hydropower projects, and unregulated construction (e.g., Joshimath subsidence, Char Dham project) further weaken slope stability.
Initiatives for Strengthening Early Warning Systems (EWS)
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Pilot Project: Deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based hailstorm alert systems in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, providing sub-kilometre scale forecasts for farmers.
- India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF): Integration of models for rainfall and cloudburst prediction.
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Development of regional frameworks for Himalayan disaster resilience.
- Technology-Driven Monitoring Systems: ISRO and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) conduct real-time surveillance of glaciers, unstable slopes, and river basins.
- Community-Based Disaster Management: The Disaster Management System–Himalaya (DMS-Himalaya) empowers local communities through training in pre-disaster preparedness, hazard mapping, and post-disaster response with inclusion of schools, panchayats, and local governance.
- Google’s Android Earthquake Early Warning System: Launched in 2023 with NDMA and the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), using smartphone sensors to detect seismic activity. Alerts are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale, which measures perceived earthquake effects.
- Early Warnings for All Initiative: Co-led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), this global program supports India in ensuring every Himalayan community is protected by timely and reliable warnings.
What are the Challenges in Implementing EWS in the Himalayas?
- Complex Terrain: The rugged and glaciated landscape of the Himalayas makes it extremely challenging to deploy and maintain technologies such as drones, radars, and sensors for effective early warning coverage.
- Limited Data Infrastructure: There is a scarcity of ground-based observation stations, and many existing monitoring systems are outdated, leading to data gaps.
- High Costs: Setting up and operating satellite-based communication systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven forecasting tools require significant financial investment, which often limits large-scale implementation.
- Institutional Silos: Poor coordination among key agencies such as the NDMA, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and respective State governments hampers integrated disaster management efforts.
- Community Awareness Gaps: Local communities often lack adequate understanding of early warning alerts and response protocols, reducing the effectiveness of the systems in preventing casualties.
- Funding Constraints: Preventive and preparedness measures like EWS often receive less financial priority compared to post-disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts.
- Cross-Border Data Sharing Issues: Limited cooperation with neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and China hinders real-time sharing of transboundary hazard data, affecting timely regional warnings.
Way Forward
- Integrated National Mission and Research Support: Establish a National Mission for Himalayan Early Warning Systems under the NDMA with dedicated funding and a research institute.
- Leverage Technology: Utilise AI and machine learning to analyse real-time satellite data and set up automatic weather stations across valleys and glacial basins.
- Community-Based EWS: Involve local volunteers and panchayats to ensure quick dissemination and understanding of alerts.
- Cross-Border Cooperation: Create regional data-sharing mechanisms with Nepal, Bhutan, and China to monitor transboundary hazards, like the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) created for tsunamis.
- Hazard Mapping: Develop district-level hazard zonation maps for scientific land-use planning.
- Recommendations: The government can restrict construction in geologically unstable zones and prioritise vegetation conservation in landslide-prone areas, as recommended by the Mishra Committee in 1976.
- Disaster Management can be integrated into the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution as recommended by the J.C. Pant Committee.
- Global Case Study: Successful mountain EWS initiatives like Cirenmaco Lake in the Central Himalayas (China), where unmanned boats monitor lake levels and ice collapses through satellite data, and Blatten Village in the Swiss Alps, where early alerts prevented glacier-collapse fatalities can offer valuable insights.
- Likewise, global examples such as Japan’s Earthquake EWS, Indonesia’s Tsunami EWS, and Switzerland’s Alpine Radar Network show that combining robust infrastructure with community participation can make the Himalayas safer and more resilient.
Conclusion
An effective Early Warning System (EWS) can save lives, safeguard livelihoods, and support India’s commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). The future of the Himalayan ecosystem, often called the “Third Pole,” relies on proactive, science-driven, and collaborative disaster management efforts.
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Drishti Mains Question
Discuss the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate-induced disasters. How can Early Warning Systems (EWS) strengthen India’s disaster preparedness?
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an Early Warning System (EWS)?
An EWS is a framework using sensors, satellites, and AI to detect and communicate potential hazards early, enabling timely action to reduce disaster losses.
2. Why are the Himalayas prone to frequent natural disasters?
Due to tectonic instability, glacial melting, deforestation, unplanned construction, and climate change, the Himalayas face recurring landslides, floods, and glacial lake outbursts.
3. Which Indian agencies are responsible for disaster warning systems?
NDMA, IMD, ISRO, and MoEFCC collaboratively monitor weather, earthquakes, floods, and glacial changes, providing alerts through regional and national disaster management networks.
4. What are global examples of effective EWS in mountains?
Japan’s earthquake alerts, Switzerland’s Alpine radar network, and China’s glacial flood monitoring show how advanced technology and coordination reduce mountain disaster risks.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. Consider the following pairs: (2020)
- Peak - Mountains
- Namcha Barwa- Garhwal Himalaya
- Nanda Devi- Kumaon Himalaya
- Nokrek - Sikkim Himalaya
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Ans: (b)
Q. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants are naturally growing there? (2014)
- Oak
- Rhododendron
- Sandalwood
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
Q. When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following: (2012)
- Deep gorges
- U-turn river courses
- Parallel mountain ranges
- Steep gradients causing landsliding
Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for Himalayas being young fold mountains?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (d)
Mains:
Q1. Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (2021)
Q2. How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (2020)
Q3. “The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (2016)
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary: India’s Third Cheetah Site
07-11-2025
Source: IE
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS) in Madhya Pradesh is being prepared as India’s third cheetah site.
- Unlike Kuno and Gandhi Sagar, where cheetahs were introduced into predator-free landscapes, Nauradehi already has about 25 tigers along with wolves, wild dogs, panthers, and crocodiles, making it the first site where cheetahs must share space with apex predators.
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: It is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, declared in 1975. The entire Sanctuary is situated on the upper Vindhyan plateau within the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic region.
- Connectivity: NWS acts as a corridor for Panna Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve while indirectly connecting Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve via Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Habitat & Forests: The area is dominated by Tropical Dry Deciduous forests of the central Indian monsoon zone.
- Flora: Teak is the main species, along with Saja, Dhaora, Bhirra, Mahua, Tendu, Ber, Bel, Gunja, and Amla.
- Fauna: It hosts tiger, leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, and Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), alongside nilgai, chinkara, spotted deer, sambar, and blackbuck.
- The Indian wolf is recognised as the sanctuary’s keystone species, reflecting its strong canid presence.
- Birdlife exceeds 170 species, and crocodiles occur in the Bamner river.
- Rivers & Drainage: Three fourth of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary falls in the Yamuna (Ganges) basin and one fourth of the sanctuary falls in the Narmada basin.
- The Kopra River, Bamner River, Bearma River, which are tributaries of the Ken River, are the major rivers of this protected area
- Geology & Soils: Vindhyan sandstone dominates NWS, alongside Lameta and Deccan Trap formations.
- Soils range from red and black to alluvial, shaping varied dry forest and grassland vegetation.

Speciality Fertilisers
07-11-2025
Source: TH
India is bracing for higher fertiliser prices ahead of the crucial Rabi crop season due to China's suspension of Urea and Speciality Fertiliser exports.
Speciality Fertilisers
- About: Speciality fertilisers are advanced formulations beyond basic NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur), including water-soluble, slow or controlled-release, and micronutrient-based products that enhance nutrient efficiency and crop-specific performance.
- Examples: Chelated micronutrients (Fe-EDTA, Zn-EDTA, Fe-EDDHA), water-soluble fertilisers (WSFs) such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃); and stabilised nitrogen fertilisers with urease inhibitors (NBPT).
- Uses:
- For high‐value crops (fruits, vegetables, flowers) and horticulture.
- For soils with specific deficiencies or in micro‐nutrient‐deficient zones (zinc, boron, etc).
- For precision agriculture and improved nutrient-use efficiency.
- India & Speciality Fertilisers:
- India currently imports about 95% of its speciality fertilisers-mainly water-soluble and advanced formulations, due to limited domestic R&D, raw material shortages, and China’s market dominance.
- India has recently initiated its first indigenous water-soluble fertiliser production and secured supply contracts with Russia, Jordan, Israel, and Morocco to curb excessive dependence on China.
- Market Size: The global speciality fertilisers market is projected to reach $63 billion by 2035, while India’s market is expected to grow to $5–6 billion by 2030, backed by sustainable agricultural practices.

Female Labour Force Participation in India
07-10-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
India’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has seen a significant rise in recent years. While this seems promising for gender equality, a closer look reveals persistent challenges in employment quality, wages, and sectoral distribution for women.
What are the Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in India?
- FLFPR: FLFPR includes women who are either employed or actively seeking work. The rise in this metric does not necessarily reflect improved economic inclusion if the work is unpaid or non-remunerative.
- According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) (2023-24), the FLFPR declined from 31.2% in 2011–12 to 23.3% in 2017–18, marking a period of withdrawal of women from the labour market.
- However, it rose sharply to 41.7% in 2023–24, suggesting renewed female engagement in economic activity.
- Rural Women Driving the Increase: The recent increase in FLFPR has been driven largely by rural women, not by urban participation.
- Rural distress, inflation, and the need to supplement household income have compelled more women to engage in work-related activities.
- However, these are not necessarily formal or paid jobs, much of this rise is due to unpaid or self-employment roles.
- Return to Agriculture Instead of Diversification: Contrary to expectations of structural transformation, women are moving back into agriculture, not out of it.
- The share of rural women in agriculture rose from 71.1% in 2018–19 to 76.9% in 2023–24, while their presence in the industrial and service sectors declined.
- This reflects a reverse structural shift, often linked to limited non-farm opportunities for women.
- Unpaid and Self-Employment on the Rise: Women’s participation has increased mainly in unpaid family labour and own-account work, not in salaried or wage employment.
- Between 2017–18 and 2023–24, women reporting “domestic duties” declined from 57.8% to 35.7%, but “helpers in household enterprises” rose from 9.1% to 19.6%, and “own account workers and employers” from 4.5% to 14.6%.
- Thus, much of this rise represents a shift from unpaid domestic work to unpaid or low-paid self-employment.
- This indicates that increased participation has not translated into better income security or job quality.
- The rise in participation, therefore, reflects economic distress rather than genuine economic inclusion.
What Structural Constraints Continue to Undermine Women’s Labour Market Outcomes?
- Overrepresentation in Low-Productivity Sectors: A disproportionate number of women remain concentrated in agriculture and informal sectors, limiting access to high-paying, stable jobs.
- Despite India's growth in manufacturing and services, these sectors have remained male-dominated and inaccessible to many rural women.
- The Double Burden: In rural India, women’s domestic and economic roles often overlap, making it difficult to clearly classify their work as “employment.”
- Many are involved in subsistence or family-based enterprises, which are often unpaid or undercounted in official data, inflating FLFPR figures without reflecting actual empowerment.
- The Economic Survey 2024 shows women's unpaid care work contributes 3.1% to GDP.
- Such ‘invisible’ labour rarely contributes to income or asset ownership, thereby offering no pathway to empowerment.
- Gender Norms and Mobility Barriers: Societal expectations around women’s roles, limited access to safe public transport, and lack of childcare infrastructure significantly curtail their mobility and job choices.
- Women often prefer home-based or nearby work, which further entrenches them in low-paying, unregulated sectors.
- Informality and Absence of Social Protection: Over 90% of employed women are in the informal sector, where there is little to no access to social security, maternity benefits, or legal safeguards.
- Such employment is typically irregular, seasonal, and dependent on family or local networks, making women’s incomes volatile and dependent.
How can India Transform Rise in FLFPR into Qualitative Economic Inclusion?
- Redesign Employment Metrics: Move beyond mere participation rates to include measures of earnings, work conditions, hours worked, and asset control.
- Targeted Formal Employment Creation: Introduce gender-sensitive incentives under schemes like Production-Linked Incentive (PLI), Make in India, and MSME support to create wage jobs for women.
- Promote labour-intensive industries (e.g., textiles, food processing) in rural areas to facilitate proximity-based employment.
- Expand MGNREGA-like schemes for women-specific tasks (e.g., afforestation, eldercare).
- Enhance Care Infrastructure and Social Services: Establish community childcare centres, elderly care services, and public cooking facilities to reduce women’s unpaid burden.
- These services act as ‘social infrastructure’ enabling higher female workforce participation.
- Invest in Skills and Digital Inclusion: Launch region-specific, demand-driven skill programs focusing on sectors like health, education, logistics, and digital services.
- Recognize and Support Self-Employed Women: Strengthen Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and link them with formal credit and market platforms.
- Provide enterprise training, e-commerce linkages, and digital financial literacy to make self-employment more sustainable.
- Challenge Deep-rooted Gender Norms: Public campaigns, school-level sensitisation, and media narratives must promote shared domestic responsibilities and female role models in non-traditional jobs.
Conclusion
India’s rising female labour force participation reflects resilience, not necessarily empowerment. True progress lies in turning this quantitative surge into quality employment, fair wages, and equal access to opportunities. Achieving this transformation is central to SDG 5: Gender Equality, ensuring women’s full and effective participation in economic life.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Rising female labour participation in India reflects resilience, not empowerment. Discuss with reference to the quality of women’s employment.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is India’s current Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR)?
As per Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24, India’s FLFPR stands at 41.7%, up from 23.3% in 2017–18.
2. Which group has driven the rise in FLFPR?
The increase is primarily led by rural women, often entering the workforce due to economic distress and household income needs.
3. What sectors dominate women’s employment in India?
Around 76.9% of rural women remain in agriculture, with declining participation in industry and services.
4. Why is the rise in FLFPR seen as distress-driven?
Most new work is in unpaid or self-employment, indicating economic compulsion rather than formal job creation.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Disguised unemployment generally means (2013)
(a) large number of people remain unemployed
(b) alternative employment is not available
(c) marginal productivity of labour is zero
(d) productivity of workers is low
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. (2023)
Q. “Success of ‘Make in India’ program depends on the success of ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms.” Discuss with logical arguments. (2015)
Q. “While we flaunt India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability.” What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain. (2014)
DAC Greenlights Multi-Domain Capability Upgrades for Armed Forces
07-08-2025
Source: IE
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defence Minister has approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹67,000 crore, enhancing combat readiness across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
- It is chaired by the Union Minister of Defense that gives 'in principle' approval to capital acquisitions, monitors major project progress, and grants acceptance of necessity for acquisition proposals.
- It was formed after recommendations made by the Group of Ministers on 'Reforming the National Security System' in 2001, post-Kargil war.
Read More: Defence Acquisition Council
High-Efficiency Material for Next-Gen Energy Storage
07-07-2025
Source: PIB
Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru & Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have developed a lanthanum-doped silver niobate-based energy storage material, which has enhanced the performance of supercapacitors.
Lanthanum-Doped Silver Niobate Energy Storage Material:
- About: It is an advanced nanostructured compound made by doping silver niobate (AgNbO₃), a lead-free and eco-friendly perovskite material, with lanthanum, a rare-earth element.
- Significance:
- This doping has reduced nanoparticle size, increasing the surface area for energy storage, and improved electrical conductivity for faster charge-discharge cycles.
- It also ensured excellent energy retention (118%) with no energy loss during use (100% coulombic efficiency).
- It is also environmentally friendly, being lead-free and suitable for green energy applications.
- Applications: Used in portable electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy systems, demonstrated potential by successfully powering an LCD display through a prototype supercapacitor.
Supercapacitors:
- Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors, are energy storage devices that bridge the gap between conventional capacitors and batteries.
- They offer high power density, rapid charge-discharge, and a long lifecycle (millions of cycles).
- Unlike batteries, they store energy through electrostatic charge separation rather than chemical reactions, making them safer and more durable.
- They have lower energy density than batteries, but this can be improved through material doping, such as with lanthanum-doped silver niobate.

Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025
07-07-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The 62nd annual session of the Bonn Climate Change Conference was held in Bonn, Germany. This mid-year meeting sets the stage for key climate negotiations ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Belem, Brazil.
What is the Bonn Climate Change Conference?
- About: The Bonn Climate Change Conference is a mid-year summit held under the UNFCCC, the 1992 treaty guiding global climate negotiations.
- Formally called the Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs), it is one of the two regular UNFCCC climate meetings alongside COP.
- It brings together SB members and committees, Indigenous groups, international organisations, scientists, and civil society to review implementation, hold technical discussions, and set the agenda for the upcoming COP summit.
- Key Players:
- Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) of UNFCCC: Reviews implementation, facilitates technical and financial support, especially for developing nations.
- Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) of UNFCCC: Provides scientific inputs from UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to negotiators and policymakers.
What are the Key Takeaways from the Bonn Conference 2025?
- Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): Progress was made on refining indicators for the GGA, but disagreements over finance and Means of Implementation (MoI) delayed consensus. A draft list of 100 indicators is expected at COP30.
- The GGA, first outlined in the Paris Agreement (2015), aims to enhance adaptive capacity and climate resilience. However, it lacked concrete action until COP28 in Dubai, where a framework to define and implement the GGA was finally adopted.
- Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP): Bonn saw significant movement on the JTWP, negotiators agreed to establish a Belém Action Mechanism to share fair transition strategies.
- The JTWP is a UNFCCC initiative launched at COP27 (2022) through the Sharm el Sheikh Implementation Plan.
- It aims to ensure that climate actions under the Paris Agreement are just, equitable, and aligned with national development goals considering social, economic, and workforce impact and is specifically aimed at supporting workers and communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuels.
- National Climate Plans: Most countries missed the February 2025 deadline for submitting updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), slowing efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
- Brazil urged nations to submit stronger NDCs by September 2025 to align with the 1.5°C target. However, the current submissions remain insufficient, possibly pushing warming closer to 2°C.
- Climate Finance: Disputes over climate finance were intense, with developing nations (India) pressing for the fulfillment of pledges, including the mobilization of USD 1.3 trillion every year till 2030
- Wealthier countries suggested private finance as a solution, but critics argued that public grants were essential.
- Developing countries prefer a finance-centric dialogue and emphasize inclusion of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement (obligation of developed countries to provide financial support).
- According to the Climate Policy Initiative (an advisory organization), global climate finance must rise to around USD 9 trillion annually by 2030 to keep global temperature increases within the targets set by the Paris Agreement.
- Loss and Damage: The conference noted that the Loss and Damage Fund remains underfunded, with only USD 768 million pledged, far from the USD 1 trillion needed.
- Despite the pledges, governments have so far signed contribution agreements for USD 495 million and have paid in only USD 321 million.
Nationally Determined Contributions
- About: NDCs are country-specific climate action plans to cut emissions and adapt to climate change under the Paris Agreement, updated every five years.
- The existing NDCs, submitted in 2020, pertain to the 2030 period, with 2035 submissions by February 2025. The 2035 NDC must build on the 2030 targets, but countries set their own progression based on resources.
- India and NDCs: India submitted its first NDC in 2015, targeting a 33–35% reduction in emission intensity of GDP and 40% non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030. Both targets were achieved ahead of schedule—by October 2023, non-fossil fuel capacity reached 43.81%, and emission intensity had reduced by 33% by 2019.
- In August 2022, India updated its NDCs, targeting a 45% reduction in emission intensity of GDP, 50% non-fossil fuel power capacity, and an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes of carbon sink through forest and tree cover by 2030.
- According to India’s 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) (2024), emission intensity had reduced by 36%, non-fossil fuel capacity reached 47.10% by December 2024, and 2.29 billion tonnes of carbon sink had been created.

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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the role of international climate negotiations like the Bonn Climate Change Conference in strengthening global environmental governance.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
- The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN, and it will go into effect in 2017.
- The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2ºC or even 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
- Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
Mains:
Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)
Q. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021)
National Beekeeping & Honey Mission
06-11-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India’s honey sector is witnessing a structured transformation under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), which is expanding scientific beekeeping nationwide and strengthening its contribution to rural livelihoods and agriculture.
What is the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission?
- About: The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India for the overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping and the production of quality honey and other beehive products.
- Sub Schemes: The NBHM is being implemented through 3 Mini Missions (MMs) - MM-I, MM-II & MM- III focused on production, post-harvest management and research respectively.
- Implementing Agency: The scheme, implemented by the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, was initially allocated ₹500 crore for 2020–23 and had been extended for another three years till 2025–26.
- Objectives:
- Promote holistic growth of the beekeeping industry to boost rural livelihoods, employment, and crop productivity through pollination and sustainable honey production.
- Strengthen infrastructure, quality control, traceability, and agri-entrepreneurship while empowering women and fostering cooperatives to enhance technology use, marketing, and export potential.
- Ranking:
- India is the second largest exporter of honey, after China, as of 2024.
- Major Indian states producing honey include Uttar Pradesh (17%), West Bengal (16%), Punjab (14%), Bihar (12%) and Rajasthan (9%).
- Major export destinations included the USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Libya.

National Bee Board (NBB)
- The National Bee Board was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on July 19, 2000, and reconstituted under the Chairmanship of the Secretary (A&C) in June 2006.
- The primary objective of NBB is to promote scientific beekeeping, enhance crop productivity through pollination, and increase honey production to boost the income of beekeepers and farmers.
- It has been designated as the Nodal Agency for the overall development and promotion of scientific beekeeping in the country .

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)?
NBHM is a Central Sector Scheme promoting scientific beekeeping, quality honey production, and rural livelihood enhancement across India.
Q. Who implements the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission?
The National Bee Board (NBB) implements NBHM under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with an outlay of ₹500 crore.
Q. What are the key objectives of NBHM?
NBHM aims to boost rural income, pollination, sustainable honey production, infrastructure, women empowerment, and honey exports.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Years Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. Consider the following kinds of organisms: (2012)
1. Bat
2. Bee
3.Bird
Which of the above is/are pollinating agent/agents?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (2018)
Environment Audit Rules, 2025
06-09-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Environment Audit Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to establish a comprehensive framework for environmental accountability across India.
What are the Key Features of the Environment Audit Rules, 2025?
- Certification and Registration of Environmental Auditors: Environment Auditors (EAs) are to be Certified and Registered by the MoEFCC-notified Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA). EADA is responsible for:
- Certification, registration, and oversight of auditors.
- Monitoring performance and providing training.
- Taking disciplinary action when required.
- Registered Environment Auditors (REAs): Audits will be conducted by Registered Environment Auditors (REAs).
- REAs will be assigned projects randomly to ensure impartiality.
- REAs will undertake activities including sampling, analysis, compensation calculation, and audits under various environmental and forest-related legislations.
- Two-Tiered System of Compliance:
- Tier-1: Government regulators (CPCB, SPCBs, MoEFCC regional offices) will review compliance.
- Tier-2: Audits will be conducted by REAs for third-party verification.
- Oversight and Monitoring: A Steering Committee, led by an Additional Secretary from MoEFCC, will oversee the implementation of these rules.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q1. Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? (2012)
- Global warming
- Fragmentation of habitat
- Invasion of alien species
- Promotion of vegetarianism
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (a)
Q2. Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways: (2011)
- Soil formation
- Prevention of soil erosion
- Recycling of waste
- Pollination of crops
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (d)
Bioproducts
06-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under its BioE3 Policy, is setting up 16 biomanufacturing hubs across India to boost domestic production of bioproducts such as APIs, biofuel enzymes, reagents for biofertilizers.
- These hubs, also known as National Bio-Enablers or Mulankur, are specialized facilities supporting indigenous production of bioproducts and fostering innovation across sectors like health, agriculture, energy, environment, and AI-driven biomanufacturing.
What are Bioproducts?
- About: Bioproducts are fuels, materials, and chemicals derived from renewable biomass such as crops, trees, algae, and agricultural waste.
- Eg: Biofuels (ethanol, biogas), bioplastics, bio-based cosmetics, and plant-derived medicines.
- Types of Bioproducts:

- Production Methods: Generated using fermentation, pyrolysis, enzymatic conversion, or chemical synthesis.
- They are made from soybeans, sugarcane, algae, mycelium, etc., and often use agri-forestry residues, reducing stress on food crops. Eg: Sunflower residue converted into biofuel.
- Significance:
- Reduce fossil fuel dependence and help mitigate air pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
- Promote climate-resilient development through biotechnological innovation.
- Extend beyond laboratories to support sustainability via biodegradable packaging and eco-friendly products, while also generating rural employment and fostering green jobs.
- Biodegradability: Not all bioproducts are biodegradable, it varies by use (e.g., bio-based paint is not biodegradable).

Did You Know?
- Despite being the world’s 3rd largest pharmaceutical producer (volume) and the largest supplier of generic drugs, India relies heavily on imports for key bioproducts.
- Nearly 70% of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are sourced from China, with India being 100% dependent on China for 45 out of 58 critical APIs.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (2012)
- To enable them to withstand drought
- To increase the nutritive value of the produce
- To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations
- To increase their shelf life
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (c)

AI in Public Service Delivery
06-08-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
India’s first Artificial intelligence (AI) powered Anganwadi was launched in Waddhamna village, Nagpur district, Maharashtra.
- This pilot project is being hailed as a major leap in bridging the rural-urban digital divide in early childhood education, marking a significant advancement in public service delivery.
How can AI Aid in Public Service Delivery?
- Early Child Care: Maharashtra's AI-enabled Anganwadi integrates with the Poshan Tracker to monitor children's nutrition and health in real time.
- Anganwadi workers upload meal photos for instant dietary analysis, enabling predictive alerts on malnutrition risks.
- AI integration facilitates targeted delivery of supplementary nutrition under Integrated Child Development Scheme.
- Children now learn through virtual reality (VR) experiences, interactive stories, and drawing on smart boards.
- Smarter and Inclusive Governance: AI is helping the government move from a one-size-fits-all approach to tailored, real-time service delivery.
- BharatGen, a government-funded multimodal AI model, aims to enhance public service delivery in language, speech, and computer vision, catering to India's diverse population.
- At Mahakumbh 2025, AI tools were used to manage railway passenger flow, optimize crowd dispersal, and power multilingual chatbots, setting a global benchmark in tech-driven mass event management.
- Efficient and Targeted Welfare Delivery: AI models trained on high-quality anonymised datasets (via the IndiaAI Dataset Platform) can analyse patterns in poverty, health, education, etc.
- This helps policymakers identify gaps, predict needs, and deliver targeted benefits.
- Accessibility: Tools like Digital India BHASHINI, Sarvam-1 break language barriers, making services available in multiple Indian languages, and enhancing inclusivity for differently-abled individuals.
- Law Enforcement: AI enables predictive policing, real-time surveillance, and cyber threat detection.
- Delhi Police uses an AI-driven Facial Recognition System (FRS) to solve crimes and find missing persons.
- AI accelerates case research, aids in drafting judgments, and helps reduce backlogs, improving justice delivery and legal efficiency.
- Optimizing Agriculture and Ensuring Food Security: Project Farm Vibes, developed by Microsoft Research and the Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati, is transforming farming with data-driven insights.
- It uses AI tools to analyze field conditions, optimize irrigation, and provide real-time, localized farming recommendations.
- The project has led to a 40% increase in crop production, reduced water and fertilizer usage, and minimized post-harvest wastage.
- The AI in agriculture market is projected to grow from USD 1.7 billion in 2023 to USD 4.7 billion by 2028, boosting economic sustainability in farming.
- Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Monitoring: AI models support flood prediction, air quality tracking, and climate modelling.
- Platforms like Google DeepMind’s GenCast enable citizens to contribute localized weather data, improving real-time predictions.
- Mission Mausam, which aims to make India “Weather Ready” and “Climate Smart,” uses AI and satellite data from the Indian Meteorological Department and flood monitoring systems to improve disaster preparedness and flood forecasting.
- The Mausam App delivers weather updates and warnings in a user-friendly format.
- Education and Personalized Learning: AI-powered EdTech enables adaptive learning based on student needs. AI integration being explored in the government's Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform.
- In Tripura, IAS officer Chandni Chandran launched an AI-based initiative to tackle a 70% school dropout rate. Students’ career dreams were turned into AI-generated images and displayed on "Aspirational Boards" in classrooms.
- The move has boosted motivation and emotional engagement, with plans to expand it to more schools.
- Strengthening Urban Governance and Smart Cities: AI improves traffic flow, waste management, and public service delivery.Bengaluru’s AI-driven Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) cuts congestion at junctions.
- Improving Financial Governance and Taxation: AI helps detect fraud, prevent subsidy leakages, and automate auditing.
- MuleHunter.ai, developed by RBI, detects mule accounts used in financial scams.
- Better Healthcare: Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in AI for healthcare are developing solutions like disease prediction, which will holistically benefit the health of rural and urban populations across the country.

Conclusion
AI’s integration into India’s public service delivery enhances efficiency, inclusivity, and accessibility, improving governance. Through initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission, India is advancing towards a more transparent, citizen-centric system, positioning itself as a global leader in AI-powered governance.
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Drishti Mains Question:
How is Artificial Intelligence reshaping public service delivery in India? Illustrate with examples.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q. e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (2023)
Q. E-Governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information Explain. (2018)
Skill Impact Bonds
06-08-2025
Source: TOI
Why in News?
As India strives for economic growth and inclusive development, innovative models like the Skill Impact Bond (SIB) are emerging to address key challenges in skilling and employment, especially among marginalized communities and women.
What is the Skill Impact Bond (SIB)?
- About: SIB is India’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB), launched in 2021 focused on skills training and job placement.
- It shifts focus from enrollment to outcomes like placement and retention. It uses private-sector funding to address social and development challenges.
- Objective: To skill 50,000 youth, with 60% women, especially from marginalised and rural backgrounds, and ensure at least 30,150 retain jobs for 3+ months.
- Key Highlights of the SIB Report 2025:
- Top States: Jharkhand (27%), UP, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Telangana had highest enrollments.
- Popular Sectors:
- Women: Mainly trained in apparel, with rising numbers in retail, IT-enabled services (ITeS), and BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance)
- Men: Moving from construction to sectors like automotive and telecom.
- Women-Led Skilling: Over 72% of 23,700+ trainees were women from vulnerable backgrounds. Female certification rate reached 92%, and job placement was 81%. Self-employment among women rose from 6% to 14%.
- Better Job Outcomes: 75% of all trainees got jobs, and 60% stayed employed for over 3 months—above national average. Female employment increased from 35% to 48%.
- Gender Pay Gap: Men earned more (Rs 12,400–15,700) than women (Rs 11,500–13,000) despite similar job outcomes.


What is the Status of Skill Development in India?
- Low Employability: As per India Skills Report 2024, only 51.25% of assessed young people in India possessed the necessary skills to be employable.
- Low Formal Training: As per the Economic Survey 2023–24, only 4.4% of youth are formally skilled, and 16.6% are informally trained.
- Skill Gaps in Industry: According to ManpowerGroup's (US-based MNC) 2025 Global Talent Shortage Survey, 75% of global employers are struggling to find skilled workers.
- India has a 60%-73% demand-supply gap in key roles such as ML engineer, data scientist, DevOps engineer, and data architect.
- Underemployment: As per Economic Survey 2024–25, over 50% of graduates and 44% of postgraduates are in low-skill jobs, indicating inefficient workforce utilisation.
- Limited Women Participation: In India, women constitute 40% of STEM students but only 14-27% of STEM professionals, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
What are the Key Challenges Hindering Skill Development in India?
- Inconsistent Quality & Infrastructure Gaps: Many ITIs, especially in rural areas, lack trained instructors and modern equipment, leading to low training quality and employability.
- Industry Disconnect & Skill Mismatch: Skilling schemes like PMKVY & Skill India focus on syllabus completion over practical relevance.
- Key sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and green energy are often underserved.
- Low Private Sector Role & Rural Exclusion: Limited private sector participation due to red tape, low incentives, and weak academia-industry links.
- Despite Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), skilling remains urban-focused, sidelining the 90% informal workforce. Just 10% of rural workers receive formal skill training (WEF).
Key Skill Development Schemes and Initiatives
What Measures Should be Taken to Reform India’s Skilling Ecosystem?
- Inclusive Rural Skilling: Launch a Rural Skilling and Livelihood Mission focused on agri-tech, food processing, and crafts. Use mobile centers, village hubs, and digital literacy programs.
- Future-Ready & Digital Skilling: Align curriculum with Industry 4.0, green jobs, and digital economy.
- Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) to co-design courses with MSMEs and gig platforms.
- Expand Skill India Digital Hub with AI-based multilingual content and 5G-enabled hubs in Tier-2/3 cities.
- Education Integration & Women’s Skilling: Introduce vocational training from school level under NEP 2020 and link with National Credit Framework.
- Promote women’s skilling in STEM, finance, and gig roles through flexible training, digital access, childcare, grants, and mentorship.
- Monitoring, Soft Skills & Accountability: Use AI-driven dashboards, outcome-based funding, geo-tagging, biometric attendance, and third-party audits to ensure accountability.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the Skill Impact Bond (SIB) initiative in reimagining India’s skilling ecosystem. How does it promote gender empowerment and innovation in outcome-based financing?
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: (2018)
- It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, and financial and digital literacy.
- It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (2016)
Q: “Earn while you learn" scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful.” Comment (2021)
Tractor Emission Norms (TREM)
05-11-2025
Source: TH
Farmers’ organisations have opposed the Union government’s proposal to implement Tractor Emission Norms (TREM) Stage V for tractors from 1st October 2026, urging that the rules would force farmers to buy new tractors, increasing debt and economic hardship.
- TREM: These are pollution-control standards set by the government to regulate and reduce harmful exhaust emissions from agricultural tractors and farm machinery.
- TREM Stages: India introduced tractor emission norms in 1999, followed by Bharat (Trem) Stage II in 2003 based on the Expert Committee on Auto Fuel Policy (Mashelkar Committee, 2002), and Bharat (Trem) Stage -III in 2005.
- TREM-IIIA (2010–11) brought horsepower (HP)-based limits, and TREM-IV was implemented in 2023 for tractors above 50 HP to further curb emissions.
- Impact: TREM-IV and V norms for tractors above 50 HP could increase tractor prices by 20–25%, adding pressure on small farmers.
- Farmers insist TREM-V should apply only to tractors above 70 HP, mostly used for non-agricultural work.
Tri-Services Exercise (TSE-2025) “Trishul”
05-11-2025
Source: TH
India has begun Tri-Services Exercise “Trishul-2025” to strengthen integrated operations across land, air, and sea in the Sir Creek and desert sectors of Rajasthan–Gujarat, extending into the northern Arabian Sea.
- Coordination & Participants: It is a major tri-services exercise to test joint capabilities across land, air, sea, cyber, and space, aimed at validating joint procedures, strengthening network integration, and enhancing inter-service interoperability.
- Coordinated by headquarters Western Naval Command (Mumbai), the exercise involves Southern Command (Army), Western Naval Command (Navy), and South Western Air Command (IAF), with support from the Coast Guard, Border Security Force, and other agencies, highlighting strong inter-agency and multi-domain integration.
- Sub-exercises: “Trinetra” and “Mahagujarat” are sub-exercises under the larger annual Tri-Services Exercise Trishul 2025.
- Operational Focus: The exercise will also validate joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW) and Cyber Warfare plans.
- Indigenisation Focus: The exercise will highlight the effective employment of indigenous systems and demonstrate the absorption of the tenets of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’
Rising Household Debt in India
05-11-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notes that since 2019-20, Indian households have been taking on financial debt far more quickly than they are building financial assets.
- The trend reflects evolving savings behavior, especially with mutual funds gaining traction, and raises concerns about household financial health and macroeconomic stability.
What are the Trends in India’s Household Financial Health?
- Debt Outpacing Asset Creation: Household financial liabilities grew 102% between 2019-20 and 2024-25, compared with a 48% rise in assets.
- Borrowing is expanding almost twice as fast as saving, reflecting higher credit dependence.
- Weaker Savings Relative to GDP: Fresh financial assets fell from 12% of GDP (2019-20) to 10.8% (2024-25).
- Liabilities as a share of GDP increased from 3.9% to 4.7%, peaking at 6.2% in 2023-24 before easing.
- The divergence highlights weaker household balance sheets and reduced capacity to absorb shocks.
- Deposits Remain Dominant: Deposits in commercial banks made up 32% of total household financial assets added in 2019-20, which grew marginally to 33.3% by 2024-25.
- This shows households are adding other investment options like mutual funds while still keeping bank deposits as their main choice.
- Other avenues like life insurance, provident and pension funds, equity, and small savings kept a largely stable share between 2019-20 and 2024-25.
- Rise of Mutual Fund Investment: Mutual funds jumped from 2.6% in 2019-20 to 13.1% by 2024-25.
- This shift reflects growing risk appetite, better access, and a search for higher returns as financial literacy improves.
- Shift away from Cash: Currency share in new assets dropped from 11.7% in 2019-20 to 5.9% in 2024-25.
- It suggests a broader move toward financial instruments and greater digital adoption.
What are the Implications of Rising Household Debt?
- Economic Implications: Rising household debt boosts growth in the short run but drags the growth 3–5 years later.
- An International Monetary Fund (IMF) study found that a 5% point increase in the ratio of household debt to GDP over a three-year period is associated with a 1.25% point decline in real GDP growth three years later with higher unemployment.
- High share of consumption borrowing limits long-term wealth creation and productive capital formation.
- Financial Sector Implications: According to the SBI report, the debt level stands at about 42% of GDP, lower than the 49.1% average among emerging market economies (EMEs).
- This is supported by healthier credit behaviour, with nearly two-thirds of household loans rated prime or above-prime, indicating contained credit risk. However, rising unsecured consumption loans raise vulnerability.
- According to the IMF, a 1-percentage-point rise in household debt-to-GDP increases the probability of a future banking crisis by around 1 percentage point.
- Household-Level Implications: According to the Financial Stability Report (FSR) 2024 by the RBI, rising debt alongside falling household assets suggests more borrowing is being used for consumption rather than asset creation, a worrying shift.
- Increasing consumption-driven borrowing, especially among low-income groups, reduces the income multiplier effect since more income goes to debt repayment instead of spending.
- A high share of unsecured loans among poorer households pushes them toward financial marginalisation and long-term instability.
- Macroeconomic Stability Implications: High indebtedness increases sensitivity to inflation and interest-rate shocks.
- In downturns, indebted households may sharply cut spending, amplifying macroeconomic volatility..
- If defaults increase, housing loans and other secured assets may slip into Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) transmitting stress to the banking system.
What are the Challenges in Household Asset Creation in India?
- Low and Unstable Incomes: Slow wage growth and income insecurity, especially in the informal sector (80–85% of workers are employed informally), limit regular saving.
- High Cost of Living: Rising expenses on essentials, healthcare, and education reduce money available for long-term investments.
- High dependence on Borrowing: Increasing use of loans for consumption leaves less room to build assets.
- Weak financial Literacy: Limited understanding of savings products, risk, and long-term planning restricts participation in financial markets.
- Behavioural factors: Aspirational spending and low willingness to take calculated investment risks hinder steady asset creation.
- Rural–Urban Disparity: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data shows rural households spend a larger share of income on essentials, leaving less for investment compared to urban families, widening asset inequality.

What Steps can be Taken to Strengthen Household Asset Creation and Manage Debt Risks?
- Expand Financial Literacy Access: Expand financial literacy through National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) under the National Strategy for Financial Education, RBI, and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), integrate basic financial planning into education and skilling.
- Promote low-cost fintech advisory and simplified savings products to help small households build diversified portfolios.
- Strengthen Social Security Coverage: Broaden social security for informal workers through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) and PM-SVANidhi, and promote automatic enrolment in pension and insurance plans to strengthen safety nets and cut emergency borrowing.
- Promote long-term savings instruments: Promote wider use of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB), and Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS), and systematic investment plan (SIPs) to build long-term wealth.
- Borrowing for Asset Creation: Incentivise credit for housing, education, and small business over unsecured consumption loans. Expand credit guarantee frameworks to reduce informal borrowing.
- Macroprudential Monitoring: RBI should closely monitor household leverage trends for signs of systemic risk. Create early warning systems for excessive credit accumulation.
- Enhance Income Stability: Support labour-intensive sectors, MSMEs, and skilling initiatives to boost steady earnings and improve saving capacity.
Conclusion
Household debt is rising much faster than asset creation, with more borrowing going toward consumption than wealth building. Strengthening savings habits, social security, and productive credit use will be key to maintaining household and economic stability.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Discuss the impact of consumption-led borrowing on the income multiplier and inclusive growth. What targeted reforms can raise asset creation among low-income households?
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are mutual funds?
A mutual fund pools money from many investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, or other securities to earn returns; they are professionally managed and market-linked.
2. What is the household debt-to-GDP ratio?
It measures household debt as a share of the country’s GDP; for India, it is about 42–43%, lower than the 49% average for emerging market economies.
3. What is the main trend in Indian household finance?
Debt is rising much faster than asset creation, with household liabilities growing about 102% compared to a 48% rise in assets between 2019-20 and 2024-25.
4. Why is rising unsecured borrowing a concern?
Many borrowers with personal/credit-card loans also have home/vehicle loans; default in one loan can turn all exposure into NPAs, increasing financial stress.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question
Prelims
Q. In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because (2019)
(a) poverty rates vary from State to State
(b) price levels vary from State to State
(c) Gross State Product varies from State to State
(d) quality of public distribution varies from State to State
Ans: (b)
Q. As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements: (2018)
- Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
- Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 percent belong to OBCs.
- In Kerala, a little over 60 percent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, the savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential? (2017)
Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron in Seychelles
05-09-2025
Source: TH
The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron ( INS Tir, INS Shardul, and ICGS Sarathi) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles during a long-range training mission in the South West Indian Ocean Region.
Seychelles
- The Seychelles is an island nation located northeast of Madagascar off the east coast of continental Africa.
- It is the smallest nation in Africa in both land area and population.
- It is an archipelago of 155 islands located in the western Indian Ocean. Mahe, the largest and most diverse island in the archipelago.
- The islands of Seychelles are situated on the Mascarene Plateau, an extensive submarine plateau in the Indian Ocean.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
05-08-2025
The Union Cabinet has approved a total outlay of ₹6,520 crore for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021–22 to 2025–26). This includes an additional ₹1,920 crore for enhancing food processing infrastructure and safety measures.
- Key Approvals:
- 50 Multi-product Food Irradiation Units under Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI).
- 100 NABL-accredited Food Testing Labs (FTLs) under Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI).
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana:
- It is a composite scheme designed to create modern infrastructure for efficient farm-to-retail supply chain management.
- Major Components:
- Mega Food Parks
- Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI)
- Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters
- Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages
- Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities
- Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI)
- Human Resource Development & Institutions
Matri Van Initiative
05-08-2025
The ‘Matri Van’, a large-scale urban afforestation initiative under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, was launched as part of Van Mahotsav 2025 in Gurugram, Haryana.
- About: A theme-based urban forest project spread over 750 acres in the Aravalli hill region along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road, Haryana.
- Objective: To promote biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, public health, and urban sustainability in NCR.
- Key Features:
- Ecological & Community Focus: Restoration through removal of invasive species (e.g., Prosopis juliflora), plantation of native trees, and public participation to promote sustainability and health.
- Thematic Groves & Eco-Infrastructure: Includes Bodhi Vatika, Bamboosetum, etc., along with nature trails, cycle tracks, yoga zones, treated water irrigation, waterbodies, and flood-control measures.
- Significance: Supports Aravalli ecosystem restoration, combats urban heat islands, reduces air pollution, and acts as the “Heart and Lung” of Delhi-NCR.
‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign
- Launched on 5th June 2024 (World Environment Day) by the Prime Minister, it promotes tree plantation in mothers’ names, combining environmental conservation with a tribute to motherhood.
Aravalli Green Wall Project
- Aims to develop a 1,400 km long, 5 km wide green belt across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, inspired by the Great Green Wall Project (2007), to combat desertification and enhance ecological resilience.
NITI Aayog Report on Chemical Industry
05-07-2025
For Prelims: NITI Aayog, Global Value Chains, Chemical Industry, Viability Gap Funding (VGF), Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), PLI Scheme, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Anti-dumping, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), MSME.
For Mains: Status and challenges associated with the chemical industry in India, NITI Aayog proposed policy interventions to promote chemical industry.
Source: PIB
Why in News?
NITI Aayog released its report titled ‘Chemical Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains’, outlining an ambitious roadmap for India to become a global chemical manufacturing powerhouse.
- The report envisions India achieving a 12% share in global chemical value chains (GVC) and a USD 1 trillion output by 2040.
What is the Status of the Chemical Industry in India?
- Global Standing: India ranks as the 6th largest chemical producer globally, contributing over 7% to the manufacturing GDP.
- The chemical sector supports critical industries such as pharma, textiles, agriculture, and construction.
- Feedstock Utilization: India shows over-concentration in bulk chemical production, with 87% of benzene used for alkylbenzene, chlorobenzene, and cumene, unlike the global trend where only 25% is used similarly and more goes to complex derivatives.
- Low Share in Global Value Chains (GVC): India holds only a 3.5% share in global chemical value chains, with a USD 31 billion trade deficit (2023).
- The sector remains fragmented, dominated by MSMEs, with growth concentrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
- Skill and Innovation Gaps: There is a 30% shortage of skilled professionals, especially in green chemistry, nanotechnology, and process safety.
- R&D investment is just 0.7% of industry revenue, well below the global average of 2.3%, limiting innovation in high-value and sustainable chemicals.
- Import Dependence: The sector is heavily import-dependent, sourcing over 60% of critical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) from China, and other feedstocks from Gulf countries.
- Regulatory Bottlenecks: clearances and regulatory delays add to operational costs, with delays of up to 12-18 months for approvals.
What are the Opportunities in India’s Chemical Industry?
- Rising Domestic Demand: India’s consumer and industrial growth is fueling demand in agrochemicals (4th-largest producer), pharmaceuticals (3rd-largest drug producer), and construction & automotive (paints, adhesives, polymers).
- Refinery expansions (e.g., Reliance, Nayara, BPCL) will further boost petrochemical production.
- Job Creation: The sector is expected to generate 7 lakh skilled jobs by 2030, particularly in areas such as petrochemicals, research, and logistics.
- Global Supply Chain Shift: India can capture the shifting global chemical trade from China, especially in dyes & pigments, surfactants, textile chemicals, and electronic chemicals used in semiconductor and EV battery manufacturing.
- Green & Sustainable Chemicals: The global shift toward bio-based and green chemicals is creating demand for bio-plastics, and bio-lubricants where India’s sugar and biomass resources can support the production of bio-based chemicals.
What are the Proposed Policy Interventions by NITI Aayog to Promote Chemical Industry?
- World-Class Chemicals Hubs: Establish hubs by forming an Empowered Committee with a dedicated Chemical Fund for shared infrastructure and Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
- Port Infrastructure: Set up a Chemical Committee for ports and develop 8 high-potential chemical clusters near ports to enhance logistics and export capabilities.
- OPEX Subsidy Scheme: Introduce an OPEX Subsidy Scheme to incentivize incremental production based on import reduction, export potential, single-source dependency, and end-market criticality.
- Develop & Access Technologies: Promote self-sufficiency and innovation by disbursing R&D funds for industry-academia collaboration via DCPC and partnering with MNCs to bridge technological gaps.
- Fast-Track Environmental Clearances: Simplify and expedite Environmental Clearances (EC) through an audit committee under DPIIT to ensure compliance.
- Secure FTAs: Pursue targeted FTAs with tariff quotas and duty exemptions on critical raw materials and feedstocks; improve FTA awareness, origin proof procedures, and export competitiveness.
- Talent & Skill Upgradation: Expand ITIs and specialized training institutes to meet the growing demand for skilled labor, and strengthen industry-academia partnerships for courses in petrochemicals, polymer science, and industrial safety.

India’s Initiatives to Support the Chemical Industry
- Production linked incentive (PLI) Scheme: PLI Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing of Critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs), Drug Intermediates and APIs aims to boost domestic production by encouraging the establishment of Greenfield plants.
- PCPIR: The Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) set up at Paradip has attracted investments worth USD 8.84 billion, resulting in employment of about 40,000 people.
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras: The Government aims to open 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras to ensure affordable access to medicines.
What Steps are Needed to Strengthen the Chemical Industry?
- Global Integration: Sign Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) to align Indian chemical standards with global norms, and establish a dedicated chemical export promotion council for market access and brand building.
- Strengthen Safety Standards: Enforce strict safety norms and implement real-time monitoring systems in chemical clusters to enhance safety and compliance.
- Promote green and sustainable chemistry through waste recycling, low-emission processes, and incentivize adoption of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) and clean production technologies.
- Financial & Investment Support: Ease access to capital by offering lower interest loans to MSME chemical manufacturers and promoting venture capital funding for specialty chemical startups, while ensuring risk mitigation through subsidized insurance.
- Skill Development: Upskill the workforce through industry-aligned chemical engineering courses focusing on process safety and green technology.
- Enhance safety protocols by mandating Process Safety Management (PSM) audits and enforcing the Chemical Accidents Rules, 1996 more strictly.
Conclusion
India’s chemical industry, a GDP growth driver, aims to become a global manufacturing hub by 2030 through policy interventions like chemical hubs, OPEX subsidies, FTAs, and an R&D push. Overcoming import dependency, regulatory hurdles, and sustainability challenges requires global integration, safety enforcement, green chemistry, and skill development to achieve USD 1 trillion market potential.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the status, challenges, and policy measures required to make India a global leader in the chemical industry.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? (2019)
(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
Ans: (c)
Reforming the Global Sovereign Credit Rating System and MDBs
05-07-2025
For Prelims: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), GDP, Fiscal Deficit, Inflation, Balance of Payments (BoP), Foreign Reserves, GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), Debt-to-GDP, BRICS, G20, IMF.
For Mains: Concerns associated with the global sovereign credit rating system and MDBs and steps needed to reform them.
Source: FE
Why in News?
At the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) held in Seville, Spain, India’s Finance Minister advocated for reforming the global sovereign credit rating systems and multilateral development banks (MDBs) to promote equity, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
What is the Sovereign Credit Rating System?
- About: A Sovereign Credit Rating is an independent evaluation of a country’s creditworthiness, providing investors with insights into the risk level of investing in its debt, including political risks.
- Credit Rating Agencies: The Big Three global rating agencies are Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s, and Fitch Ratings, all of which are based in the United States.
- Other notable agencies include DBRS (Canada), JCR (Japan), and Dagong (China).
- Rating Scales: Credit ratings range from AAA (highest) to D (default).
- Ratings from AAA to BBB- (S&P/Fitch) or Aaa to Baa3 (Moody’s) are considered investment grade; anything lower is speculative or junk grade.
- Parameters Used: Sovereign credit ratings are based on key parameters such as a country’s GDP growth rate, fiscal deficit and public debt levels, inflation and monetary stability, political stability and governance, balance of payments (BoP), and foreign reserves including current account balance.
- Impact of Ratings: A higher rating lowers borrowing costs for governments and improves investor confidence.
- India’s Sovereign Credit Rating: India’s sovereign credit rating stands at Baa3 from Moody’s and BBB- from S&P and Fitch, all representing the lowest investment grade, though India maintains that its strong macroeconomic fundamentals warrant a higher rating.
Sovereign Credit Rating (SCR) in India
- In India, there are six credit rating agencies namely, CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, SMERA, Fitch India and Brickwork Ratings.
- Each credit rating agency uses its own methodology to assess entities like companies, governments, non-profits, and securities.
- They evaluate factors such as financial statements, debt levels, repayment history, and creditworthiness, providing investors with insights to make informed investment decisions.
- The SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 govern credit rating agencies in India.
- CareEdge (parent company CARE Ratings Ltd) became the first Indian credit rating agency to enter the global scale ratings space, including sovereign ratings.
Why does India Want Reforms in the Current Sovereign Credit Rating System?
- Bias Against Developing Economies: Despite having strong macroeconomic fundamentals, India holds a BBB- rating (just above junk status), whereas countries like Italy and Spain, with weaker growth and higher debt levels, receive better credit ratings.
- For instance, Italy’s debt-to-GDP ratio is averaged 118%, yet it is rated BBB by S&P, compared to India’s BBB- (debt-to-GDP ratio is 80%).
- In December 2023, finance ministry economists had questioned the three big global rating agencies for keeping India’s rating static at the lowest investment grade for the last 15 years despite it moving up the ladder from 12th largest to become 5th largest economy.
- Flawed Debt Assessment: Despite India’s debt being largely domestic and low-risk, rating agencies assess it like foreign currency debt and often overlook India’s high growth, which makes its debt more sustainable than that of stagnant economies like Japan or the USA.
- Overemphasis on Perceptual Factors: Credit ratings often rely on subjective factors like political stability surveys, which may be biased or outdated, while India’s strong GDP growth, USD 600+ billion forex reserves, and key reforms like GST and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) are frequently underweighted.
- Pro-Cyclical Downgrades: During economic stress (e.g., Covid-19), agencies often downgrade countries, raising borrowing costs when funds are most needed. E.g., in 2020, Moody's downgraded India’s rating from Baa2 to Baa3 despite stimulus measures.
- Conflict of Interest: Most global rating agencies, including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, are paid by the entities they rate, raising concerns about credibility, independence, and developed-world bias.
- There is a lack of Global South-led alternatives, limiting balanced perspectives in sovereign credit assessments.
- Failure to Predict Major Crises: Rating agencies failed to predict the 2008 financial crisis, assigning high ratings to risky assets, which damaged their credibility, yet their assessments still heavily influence global capital flows.
- They also lack transparency in sovereign rating methodologies, and the absence of a uniform global standard affects objectivity and fairness.
What Steps are Needed to Reform the Sovereign Credit Rating System?
- Greater Transparency: Rating agencies should disclose the weightage assigned to key metrics like GDP growth, debt-to-GDP, and political stability, and undergo independent audits to ensure transparency and prevent bias.
- They must also incorporate country-specific factors in their assessments, such as India’s domestic debt profile and demographic dividend.
- Increased Objectivity: Replace perception-based metrics with hard data (e.g., inflation control, forex reserves, digital infrastructure) and use AI and Big Data to integrate real-time indicators like GST collections and UPI transactions for more dynamic assessments.
- Alternative Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs): Encourage emergence of rating agencies from the Global South, including India, BRICS, or G20 nations to counter Western dominance, while also strengthening Indian agencies like CRISIL and ICRA to compete globally.
- Regulatory Oversight & Accountability: Create a global supervisory body, possibly under IMF, or G20 to audit and regulate rating practices.
- Incorporate Non-Economic Indicators: Credit ratings should include parameters like climate resilience, digital capacity, and policy reforms, broadening the focus beyond fiscal metrics to assess long-term sustainability and reform orientation.
- Promote Peer Comparability: Ratings should be updated in real time to reflect rapid macroeconomic changes, and peer comparison dashboards should be introduced to minimize perception asymmetry.
Conclusion
India advocates reforming the biased sovereign credit rating system and outdated MDBs that undervalues developing economies. With strong fundamentals yet stagnant ratings and unsustainable funding, India seeks transparent, data-driven assessments and alternative agencies to counter Western dominance. Reforms must incorporate real-time indicators, climate resilience, and regulatory oversight to ensure fair global financing and reflect true economic potential.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Critically analyze the limitations of the current sovereign credit rating system and suggest reforms to make it equitable for developing countries.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements:
- In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
- The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
- Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans (b)
Plastic Waste a Public Health Threat
05-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
Studies have found alarming levels of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in human tissues. India, as the world’s top plastic waste generator, faces a growing public health crisis linked to fertility issues, cancers, and chronic diseases.
How are Microplastics and EDC in Plastics Affecting Human Health?
- Microplastics: Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, formed either intentionally (primary) or through the breakdown of larger plastics (secondary).
- Primary microplastics include microbeads in cosmetics and fibres from textiles.
- Secondary microplastics result from the degradation of plastic waste due to sunlight and ocean waves.
- Microplastics are biologically active and have been found in blood, lungs, heart, placenta, breast milk, ovarian follicular fluid, and semen.
- Affect:
- Men: Linked to lower sperm count, motility, abnormal morphology, and hormonal imbalance.
- Women: Associated with poor egg quality, menstrual issues, miscarriage risk, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis.
- Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals: EDCs are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system.
- Plastics often carry EDCs like Bisphenol A (BPA) (in water bottles, food containers), phthalates such as DEHP and DBP (in cosmetics, toys, IV tubes), and PFAS (in food packaging, non-stick cookware).
- Affect: These chemicals mimic or block hormones like estrogen and testosterone, disrupting reproductive health and metabolic functions.
- Plastic additives like DEHP, BPA, and phthalates are classified as probable carcinogens.
- EDCs also contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, thyroid disorders, and metabolic syndrome by mimicking cortisol and disrupting insulin response.
What are the Concerns with Plastic Pollution in India?
- Massive and Mismanaged Plastic Waste Generation: India contributes 9.3 million tonnes of plastic pollution annually (burning 5.8 mt and releasing 3.5 mt into the environment) making it the world’s largest polluter, surpassing Nigeria, Indonesia, and China, according to a 2024 Nature study.
- Environmental and Health Hazards: Open burning, a common disposal method, emits toxic pollutants that degrade air quality and harm respiratory health.
- Plastic debris clogs rivers and drains, worsening urban flooding and threatening aquatic biodiversity.
- Single-use plastics persist for centuries, polluting land and oceans and harming marine life. Cities like Mumbai see high microplastic exposure, while phthalate levels in drinking water exceed safe limits in Delhi, Jabalpur, and Chennai.
- Children in polluted areas face increased risks of early puberty, learning issues, and obesity due to EDCs.
- Economic and Agricultural Impact: India could lose USD 133 billion in plastic packaging value by 2030 if waste continues to go uncollected.
- Microplastics in soil from plastic use in agriculture and poor wastewater treatment are degrading soil fertility and threatening food safety.
- The e-commerce boom has escalated plastic packaging waste, most of which is non-recyclable.
- Weak Infrastructure and Regulatory Oversight: Insufficient sanitary landfills, poor segregation at source, and a lack of advanced recycling technology hinder effective waste processing.
- Data and Policy Gaps: Official collection rates (95%) are overstated; real rates are closer to 81%, hampering effective planning.
- Global North-South Divide: Despite lower per capita plastic use (0.12 kg/day), India’s poor disposal systems result in more environmental leakage compared to high-income countries with better infrastructure.
India’s Initiatives Related to Plastic Waste Management

How Can India Combat the Growing Threat of Plastics?
- Microplastic Filtration Systems: Invest in advanced water treatment technologies to filter microplastics to reduce plastic contamination in the environment and the food chain.
- The National Plastic Waste Reporting Portal will help track and monitor waste more effectively.
- Behavioural Change and Public Awareness: Launch national campaigns under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and Mission LiFE to educate citizens about plastic hazards and encourage plastic-free lifestyles.
- Integrate environmental education in school curricula and promote reduce-reuse-recycle values from an early age.
- Encourage use of eco-friendly alternatives (glass, cloth, jute, biodegradable polymers).
- Biomonitoring and Public Health Surveillance: Establish national biomonitoring programs to assess the levels of EDCs in blood, urine, and breast milk, and fund longitudinal studies to track health outcomes such as fertility issues, metabolic diseases, and cancer.
- Regular surveillance of plastic pollution and its effects on public health should be implemented to inform policymaking.
- Fiscal Measures and Economic Incentives: Increase eco-taxes or cess on virgin plastic production and packaging to limit production.
- Provide subsidies and tax benefits for industries investing in eco-friendly packaging and plastic alternatives.
- Stronger Regulation and Enforcement: India must move beyond end-of-pipe waste solutions by revising the Plastic Waste Management Rules to address low-dose chemical toxicity (such as EDCs), microplastic contamination, and the heightened vulnerability of children and pregnant women.
- Under the PWM Rules 2024, Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) are legally obligated to collect and responsibly process the plastic packaging they introduce, including compostable and biodegradable plastics.
- While an online submission and tracking system has been introduced to ensure compliance, its effectiveness depends on robust implementation and strict monitoring.
- Harmful plastic additives should be classified as toxic under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Additionally, the EPR mechanism must be strengthened through material-specific targets, third-party audits, and traceability via plastic credits to ensure accountability and circularity.
- Collaborate on Global Plastic Initiatives: India should align with global initiatives like the UN Clean Seas Campaign to share knowledge and best practices for reducing plastic waste globally.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
India is now the world’s top plastic polluter. Examine the socio-economic and health impacts of plastics. Suggest reforms to tackle this crisis.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q.1 In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? (2019)
(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
Ans: (c)
Q.2 How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (2018)
- The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
- The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Q. Why is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into the environment? (2019)
(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
(c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q: What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our a habitable environment? (2018)
India's Maiden Private Rocket Launch
04-11-2025
Source: Mint
India’s first-ever private commercial satellite launch will be conducted by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace in January 2026.
- This launch will make Skyroot the only Indian entity besides Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to successfully launch a rocket carrying satellites into space.
- Skyroot Aerospace became India’s first private company to launch a rocket with the Vikram-S suborbital mission in November 2022, marking a turning point in India’s space privatisation efforts.
- Skyroot’s mission follows the Government of India’s 2020 decision to open the space sector to private players.
- Skyroot’s positioning to meet global small satellite launch demand marks a significant step toward affordable access and a new phase in India’s commercial space sector.
Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex
04-11-2025
Source: TOI
Why in News?
There is a demand for the inclusion of the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex in Assam as a Ramsar Site, recognizing its remarkable biodiversity and ecological significance.
What is the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex?
- Location: It is located within the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), a part of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Assam. It is an interconnected floodplain–marsh system spanning about 2.5 to 3 square kilometres.
- Biodiversity: It hosts a higher diversity of bird species compared to the two existing Ramsar sites in Northeast India — Deepor Beel (Assam) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
- The 2025 Kaziranga Wetland Bird Census recorded 47,000+ birds from 75–88 species, including Knob-billed Duck, Black-necked Stork, and Ferruginous Pochard.
- Ramsar Site Designation: The Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex, with its rich birdlife, diverse habitats, and strong ecological links, is an ideal candidate for Ramsar Site designation.
What is Ramsar Convention?
- About: The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It aims to protect wetland ecosystems through national and global cooperation.
- India and Ramsar: India, a member since 1982, has 94 Ramsar sites (as of November 2025), the highest in Asia, supporting biodiversity and livelihoods.
- The first Ramsar Site designated in India was Chilika Lake, Odisha, in 1981.
- Currently, Tamil Nadu leads with the highest number of Ramsar Sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh.
- Approximately 10% of India’s total wetland area is currently designated under the Ramsar framework.
- Criteria for Ramsar Site Designation: There are 9 criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Important ones are:
- Ecological Uniqueness & Biodiversity: Represents a rare wetland type and supports key or endangered species.
- Life Cycle Support & Refuge: Provides habitat during critical stages or refuge in adverse conditions.
- Avian Importance: Hosts 20,000+ waterbirds or 1% of a waterbird population.
- Aquatic Significance: Sustains diverse fish species, serving as a spawning, nursery, or migration ground.
Laokhowa and Burhachapori WLS
- Location: Situated between Kaziranga (east), Orang (west), and Pobitora (west), the complex forms a vital migration corridor between Kaziranga and Orang National Parks.
- It serves as a Buffer Zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, with the Brahmaputra River marking its northern boundary and creating diverse river islands (chars).
- Biodiversity: Home to endangered mammals like the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, and Asiatic Water Buffalo, along with otters and pangolins.
- Rich in birdlife, including Bengal Florican, Greater and Lesser Adjutant, and Black-necked Stork; the Brahmaputra River supports the Gangetic River Dolphin.
- Ecosystem: Features a diverse mix of grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and riverine islands.
Kaziranga National Park
- About: Established in 1908, the park is located in Assam’s Golaghat and Nagaon districts. It was declared a National Park in 1974, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and designated a Tiger Reserve in 2006.
- Fauna: Home to over 2,200 Indian One-horned Rhinos—about two-thirds of the global population—the park also sustains tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, and bears.
- It supports rich aquatic life, including the endangered Ganges River Dolphin, and serves as a vital refuge for resident and migratory birds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex?
The Rowmari–Donduwa Complex is a 2.5–3 km² floodplain–marsh within Laokhowa WLS, part of the Kaziranga landscape; it supports 120+ bird species and high avian counts, making it ecologically significant and a strong candidate for Ramsar designation.
2. How does Laokhowa–Burhachapori contribute to wildlife conservation in Assam?
Laokhowa–Burhachapori functions as a buffer and corridor connecting Kaziranga with adjacent PAs, supporting large mammals (rhino, elephant, tiger), wetlands for migratory birds, and riverine species like the Gangetic dolphin.
3. What distinguishes Kaziranga National Park's global conservation status?
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tiger Reserve, holding the world's largest population of the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following pairs: (2013)
| National Park |
River flowing through Park |
| 1. Corbett National Park |
Ganga |
| 2. Kaziranga National Park |
Manas |
| 3. Silent Valley National Park |
Kaveri |
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Ans: (d)
Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (2020)
(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
(d) Sundarbans
Ans: (c)
Sustainable E-Waste Management Strategies
04-10-2025
For Prelims: E-waste, Heavy Metals, Particulate Matter, DNA, Extended Producer Responsibility, Central Pollution Control Board, Blockchain, Right-to-Repair.
For Mains: E-Waste Management in India: Current Status, Challenges, Socio-Economic Impacts, Policy Initiatives, and Way Forward.
Source: TH
Why in News?
India generated 2.2 million metric tonnes (MT) of e-waste in 2025, becoming the third-largest global generator after China and the US. However, informal recycling exposes millions, especially marginalised communities, to serious health risks, making it a major urban challenge.
E- Waste
- About: E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded or end-of-life electronic devices and equipment. It includes items such as computers, televisions, mobile phones, printers, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- These products often contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium.
- Current Status of E-waste in India:
- Rapid Growth: E-waste generation recorded a 150% surge from the 0.71 million MT recorded in 2017–18. At current rates, this volume is expected to nearly double by 2030 in India.
- Urban Hotspots: The crisis is concentrated in cities, with over 60% of e-waste originating from just 65 urban centers. Key hotspots include Seelampur and Mustafabad in Delhi, Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Bhiwandi in Maharashtra.
- Informal Recycling: India has 322 registered formal recycling units with a capacity of 2.2 million MT annually, yet over half of e-waste (43% officially processed in 2023–24) is processed informally or not recycled.
- E-waste Management Frameworks in India
- E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016: It introduced the concept of a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).
- E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022: Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), producers must meet annual recycling targets through registered recyclers, with EPR certificates ensuring accountability for recycled products.
- Public institutions must dispose of e-waste through registered recyclers/refurbishers, who handle collection and processing.
- E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023: Under Rule 5 of the E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022, Clause 4 was added to ensure safe and sustainable management of refrigerants in refrigeration and air-conditioning manufacturing.
- E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2024: The rules provide for the creation of platforms for trading EPR certificates as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines with its approval.
- The CPCB will set the EPR certificate price range between 30% (minimum) and 100% (maximum) of the environmental compensation for non-compliance.
- Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2025: It introduces a comprehensive EPR framework for non-ferrous metal scrap, making producers responsible for recycling targets rising from 10% in 2026-27 to 75% by 2032-33.
What are the Key Challenges Associated with Managing E-waste in India?
- Dominance of the Informal Sector: Over 50% of e-waste is managed by the informal sector, which uses hazardous methods like open-air burning, and acid leaching causing serious health and environmental impacts.
- Weak Implementation: EPR non-compliance, false reporting (fake certificates), and weak penalties fail to deter large corporations.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Insufficient authorized dismantlers and recyclers, lack of advanced technologies for precious metal recovery, and the high cost of formal recycling limit India’s e-waste management capacity.
- Lack of Consumer Awareness: Most citizens lack awareness of e-waste hazards, often mixing it with municipal waste, while formal collection systems like producer take-back or drop-off points remain little known and inaccessible.
- Complex Nature of E-Waste: E-waste contains valuable metals (gold, copper), toxic heavy metals (lead, mercury), and hazardous chemicals, while modern compact device designs with glued or soldered parts make safe dismantling labor-intensive and difficult.
How Does E-Waste Impact the Environment and Human Health?
- Health Impacts: Informal e-waste recycling exposes workers and nearby populations to respiratory illnesses, neurological damage, skin, and eye disorders, and genetic impacts like DNA damage and immune alterations.
- Impacts on the Environment: Open burning releases particulate matter, heavy metals, and dioxins, creating hazardous air pollution; meanwhile, toxic slurries contaminate groundwater, threatening drinking and irrigation sources.
- Impact on Agriculture: Leaching from e-waste turns soil into a sink for heavy metals (cadmium, lead, chromium), which are absorbed by crops and livestock, while chemical contamination harms soil microbiota, reduces organic matter, and alters soil pH.
- Socio-Economic Impacts: Hazardous low-cost informal recycling hinders formal green industry growth, while improper handling of data storage devices risks fraud and identity theft.
How can India Make E-waste Management More Sustainable and Efficient?
- Formal Integration of the Informal Sector: Train informal e-waste workers as Green Collar technicians, provide safe recycling zones with protective gear and link formal registration to healthcare, insurance, and pension benefits.
- Use a blockchain-style digital ledger to track e-waste from consumers to recyclers, mandate annual audits, and streamline the EPR framework to ensure accountability.
- Leveraging Technology & Innovation: Fund R&D for advanced shredding, bioleaching, and non-thermal recovery methods; establish decentralized recycling hubs, and incentivize “urban mining” by treating e-waste as a valuable resource.
- Fostering Consumer Responsibility: Run campaigns on the health impacts of informal recycling and proper e-waste disposal; teach e-waste and circular economy in schools; and simplify disposal via producer take-back and reverse vending machines with incentives.
- Circular Economy: Promote Right-to-Repair laws, encourage durable and easily disassembled electronics through incentives, and support green public procurement by prioritizing repairable and recycled-content products.
- Global Collaboration: Strictly enforce the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989), a global treaty aimed at limiting the international movement of hazardous waste, including e-waste. India is a signatory to this convention.
Conclusion
India’s booming digital transformation has intensified its e-waste crisis, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Sustainable solutions require formalising the informal sector, strengthening enforcement, leveraging technology, promoting consumer responsibility, and embracing circular economy principles. Urgent multi-stakeholder action is essential to safeguard public health, environmental integrity, and long-term economic resilience.
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Drishti Mains Question:
"India's digital leap has an unintended consequence: a silent e-waste epidemic." Critically examine this statement, analyzing the socio-economic and environmental challenges posed by informal e-waste recycling in urban India.
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is India’s current e-waste generation status?
India generated 2.2 million MT of e-waste in 2025, ranking third globally, with urban hotspots like Delhi, Moradabad, and Bhiwandi contributing over 60%.
2. What is the concept of 'urban mining' in the context of e-waste management?
It treats e-waste as a valuable resource by recovering precious and rare-earth metals from discarded electronics, promoting a circular economy and reducing the need for virgin material extraction.
3. What are the major health risks associated with informal e-waste recycling?
Informal recycling exposes workers to respiratory illnesses, neurological damage, skin disorders, DNA damage, and developmental delays, especially in children.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions
Prelims:
Q. Due to improper/indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste? (2013)
- Beryllium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Heptachlor
- Mercury
- Lead
- Plutonium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(b) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Ans: (b)
Mains:
Q. What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (2018)
Extension of the RoDTEP Scheme
04-10-2025
Source: TH
The Government of India has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for exporters until March 2026. The move comes as a relief to exporters struggling with rising US tariffs and global trade uncertainties.
RoDTEP Scheme
- About & Objective: Introduced in 2021, the scheme refunds embedded taxes, duties, and levies incurred during production and distribution of exported goods.
- It addresses costs not reimbursed under other central, state, or local tax mechanisms.
- Refund Rates range from 0.3% to 3.9%, applicable across all export items.
- It is compliant with WTO norms and is implemented via a comprehensive end-to-end digital platform to ensure transparency and efficiency.
- Beneficiaries: Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) units, Advance Authorization (AA) holders, Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs).
- Significance: By the end of March 2025, total disbursements under the RoDTEP scheme had crossed nearly ₹57,000 crore, underscoring its significant role in supporting India’s merchandise exports.
- Policy Implications:
- Encourages sustained export growth, especially for units in SEZs and EOUs.
- Operates within budgetary limits, highlighting fiscal prudence.
- Reinforces the government's commitment to support the export sector.

White Rhino
04-10-2025
Source: IE
The Resurrection Quest, a documentary on cloning, gene editing, and species de-extinction, won the Gold Dolphin Award for showcasing efforts to save the northern white rhino.
White Rhino
- About: White rhinos are the second-largest land mammal.
- Subspecies: The species is split into two genetically distinct subspecies – Northern white rhino and Southern white rhino.
- Habitat:
- Northern White Rhino: Only two females left (functionally extinct), both living in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya.
- Southern White Rhino: Found mostly in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya (98.8% population).
- IUCN Status of White Rhino: Near threatened.
- Social Behavior: Groups of up to 14 rhinos form, mainly females with calves. Adult males defend territories marked with scraped dung piles.
- Adult females have larger home ranges, while breeding females stay within a dominant male’s territory.
- Primary Threat: Poaching is the primary threat. The northern white rhino nears extinction from decades of horn poaching.


Model Youth Gram Sabha(MYGS)
04-10-2025
Source: IE
The Centre is set to launch the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS), a school-based initiative inspired by Model UN simulations, to provide students practical exposure to local governance and Panchayati Raj functioning.
- Model UN simulations involve hundreds of thousands of students each year, helping them learn about the UN’s principles and functions.
MYGS
- About: It is a school-based initiative that introduces the democratic process of Gram Sabhas into classrooms across India, marking the first structured effort to involve students in grassroots governance.
- Objective: It aims to develop informed and responsible citizens who understand local governance, with students discussing issues and preparing village budgets and plans.
- Launched By: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with Ministries of Education and Tribal Affairs.
- Implementation: It will be launched in a phased manner, beginning with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
- Each participating school will receive Rs. 20,000 to conduct the mock Gram Sabha.
- Key Features: Students of Classes 9–12 to role-play as sarpanch, ward members, village secretary, Anganwadi worker, ANM, junior engineers, etc.
- Teacher training provided through National Level Master Trainers (NLMTs).
- It features regional and national competitions with substantial prize money, along with certificates.

Fireflies as Ecological Indicators
04-09-2025
Source: IE
A Tamil Nadu Forest Department study in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) identified eight firefly species and their population dynamics, emphasizing their role as ecological indicators.
Fireflies (Lampyridae)
- Classification & Habitat: Bioluminescent beetles, also known as lightning bugs or fireflies, are crucial for environmental balance.
- Found in diverse habitats, including tropical forests and temperate grasslands, they belong to the Lampyridae family.
- They thrive in undisturbed soils, high humidity, clean water, and low artificial light.
- Morphology: Seasonal, active during or after rains, otherwise remain as larvae in soil and they live around 2 months.
- Ecological Significance:
- Bioluminescent beetles produce cold, efficient light in abdominal organs through a biochemical reaction involving luciferin, luciferase, oxygen, and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), with light colors ranging from green to yellow.
- This bioluminescence plays key roles in mating signal and predator deterrence.
- Large-scale synchronous flashing of fireflies are bioindicators of pollution-free areas, with population changes signaling environmental disruptions.
- Which can impact other species like moths, bats, and amphibians.
- Threats: Threats like urbanization, deforestation, pesticides, and light pollution are linked to their declining populations.
Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR)
- Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2007, it is surrounded by Parambikulum Tiger Reserve(PTR), Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulum National Park.
- Kariyan Shola, Grass Hills, and Manjampatti of ATR is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It hosts evergreen, deciduous, and shola forests, montane and marshy grasslands, and key fauna like tiger, Asiatic elephant, sambar, leopard, and others.

BHARATI Initiative
04-09-2025
Source: PIB
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has launched the BHARATI initiative to strengthen India’s agri-food exports and foster innovation among startups.
BHARATI Initiative
- About: BHARATI (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement) aims to promote innovation, strengthen India’s agri-food startups, and boost exports.
- Objectives: To empower 100 agri-food startups through innovation and incubation, supporting APEDA's goal of USD 50 billion in agri-food exports by 2030.
- Also aims to address challenges in perishability, quality, logistics, and sustainability.
- Key Features:
- Targets high-value agri-food products such as GI-tagged, organic, superfoods, processed foods, livestock, AYUSH products.
- It will also promote advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and agri-fintech, addressing packaging, perishability, sustainability, and logistics.
- Connects startups and innovators to provide export-ready solutions by helping them meet international food safety and quality standards through a 3-month acceleration programme.
- It also aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Digital India, and Start-Up India programme.
- APEDA partners with state boards, universities, IITs/NITs, industry bodies, and accelerators to strengthen the ecosystem and enable annual scalability.
APEDA
- APEDA, established under the APEDA Act, 1985, is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- It promotes and develops exports of agricultural products, providing support in marketing, transportation, and value addition.

India’s Suspect Registry and Cybersecurity Initiatives
04-09-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
India’s online suspect registry has saved around Rs 5,100 crore by blocking 13 lakh fraudulent transactions, and it has quickly become a key tool in India’s fight against cybercrime.
What is a Suspect Registry?
- About: Launched in 2024, the suspect registry was created based on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and developed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
- It contains data on 1.4 million cybercriminals linked to financial fraud and other cybercrimes, which has been shared with all banks.
- The data has been shared with all banks and is accessible to States, UTs, and central investigation and intelligence agencies
- Objective: The registry helps banks and financial institutions verify customer credentials and monitor transactions to suspected accounts in real time.
- Using data from the NCRP, it strengthens fraud risk management and flags potential cybercriminals.
- Need for Suspect Registry: India loses over Rs 1,000 crore every month to cyber fraud. More than 80% of cybercrime cases involve financial fraud.
- The rising scale of digital transactions demands stronger fraud risk management and real-time monitoring.
- Impact: As of December 2024, over 6.1 lakh fraudulent transactions worth around Rs 1,800 crore were blocked.
- Banks froze 8.67 lakh mule accounts, 7 lakh SIMs, and 1.4 lakh devices. Since 2021, around Rs 3,850 crore in frauds have been intercepted, and suspicious online contents were blocked under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Cybercrime Trends in India
- Rising Cybercrime Losses: According to the NCRP India witnessed a massive surge in cyber fraud, with total losses of around Rs 33,165 crore (2021-24).
- Emergence of Tier 2 & 3 Cybercrime Hotspots: Cities like Deoghar, Jaipur, Nuh, Mathura, Kolkata, Surat, Bengaluru Urban, and Kozhikode have been identified as hotspots, reflecting that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting smaller cities.

Click here to Read: Cyber Frauds
What are India's Cybersecurity Initiatives?
- Constitutional Context: Police and public order are state subjects. States/UTs handle crimes, including cybercrime, while the Centre provides guidance, coordination, and funding.
- Policy Mechanisms:
- Information Technology Act, 2000: Covers cybercrime offences like phishing, smishing, and vishing with fines and imprisonment.
- New Criminal Laws: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, address modern cyber threats.
- National Cyber Security Policy, 2013: Aimed at protecting cyberspace, building cyber defense capabilities, reducing vulnerabilities, and strengthening national digital security.
- Institutional Mechanisms
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Attached office under MHA for coordinated response to cybercrime.
- The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) under I4C enables the public to report all types of cybercrimes, with a major focus on crimes against women and children.
- Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) under I4C brings banks, financial intermediaries, telecom service providers, IT intermediaries and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) under one roof for real-time action.
- Samanvay Platform a web-based portal for cybercrime data, analytics, mapping, and coordination among Law Enforcement Agencies nationwide.
- Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) platform for immediate action on financial cyber fraud complaints via helpline 1930.
- CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team): National agency under IT Act, 2000 for handling cybersecurity incidents, vulnerabilities, and coordinated response.
- CERT-In runs the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) for situational awareness of cyber threats and the Cyber Swachhta Kendra to detect and remove malware, offering free tools and cybersecurity guidance for citizens and organizations.
- International Cooperation: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) participates in Interpol-led cybercrime cooperation initiatives.
- The CBI is the nodal agency for G-7 24/7 network, which is a secure channel for making data preservation requests in cases related to cyber crime.
- Digital Mechanisms
- ‘.bank.in’ Domain for Banks: Exclusive internet domain for Indian banks to reduce cyber fraud and strengthen digital trust.
- e-Zero FIR: Converts cyber financial crime complaints above Rs 10 lakh into First Information Report (FIR) automatically.
- MuleHunter.AI: AI tool developed by RBI to detect “mule accounts” used for transferring stolen funds.
- ASTR: Developed by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification (ASTR) is used to identify suspected mobile connections taken by the same person in different names.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the institutional and digital mechanisms established by India to prevent and respond to cybercrime.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q.1 In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (2020)
- Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer
- Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so
- Cost of hiring a specialised consultant to minimise the loss in case of cyber extortion
- Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (b)
Q.2 In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (2017)
- Service providers
- Data centres
- Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q. What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)
Single Window System for State DGP Appointments
04-08-2025
Source: TH
The Union Government has introduced a Single Window System (SWS) to standardize and simplify the appointment of State Director Generals of Police (DGPs)/Heads of Police Force (HoPF).
Key Features of the SWS:
- Standardization: Offers a checklist and uniform formats for States to submit DGP proposals.
- Eligibility Certification: A Secretary-rank officer must certify that proposed officers meet criteria, including a minimum 6 months of residual service.
- Timely Submission: States must send proposals at least 3 months before the anticipated vacancy.
Superintendence over the State Police:
- Police is a State subject under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution.
- Further, section 3 of the Police Act, 1861 states that the superintendence of police in each State rests with the State Government.
- At the district level, a dual system exists where both the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police share authority.
- The State Police are generally headed by officers of the DGP (Director General of Police) rank.


50 Years of CITES
04-07-2025
Source: UN
Why in News?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) completed 50 years on 1st July 2025.
Note: The United Nations General Assembly designated 3rd March as UN World Wildlife Day in 2013, to coincide with the anniversary of the signing of CITES.
What is CITES?
- About: CITES, also known as the Washington Convention, was signed on 3rd March 1973 during the World Wildlife Conference and came into force on 1st July 1975. It was drafted following a 1963 resolution adopted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to regulate wildlife trade.
- The Convention now has 185 Parties, including India (a member since 1976) and the European Union.
- Administered by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva, CITES regulates international trade in over 40,000 species of wild animals and plants, including live specimens and wildlife-derived products.
- The treaty aims to ensure that such trade is sustainable, legal, and traceable, supporting biodiversity, local livelihoods, and national economies in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Working Procedure: CITES regulates international trade through permits for export, import, re-export, and sea introduction. Each member country appoints management and scientific authorities to oversee licensing and conservation advice.
- Appendices System:
- Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction. Trade is highly restricted.
- Appendix II: Species not endangered but need controlled trade to avoid risk.
- Appendix III: Species protected by at least one country that seeks cooperation to regulate trade.
- Changes to Appendices I and II are decided at the Conference of the Parties (CoP), while Appendix III can be amended unilaterally by individual Parties.
- Importance: Wildlife trade is a multi-billion dollar global industry, and unregulated trade alongside habitat loss threatens many species with extinction.
- CITES is recognized as one of the most effective environmental agreements, supported by tools like the CITES Trade Database (a global reference on legal wildlife trade) and clear guidelines for enforcement and legal acquisition.
- It has helped save critically endangered species such as African elephants, pangolins, and crocodiles.
- Initiatives like the Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme have significantly reduced poaching in Africa and Asia.
- All species listed in the CITES Appendices are now included in Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, reflecting India’s strengthened cooperation with CITES.
- UN and CITES: CITES complements the work of other UN entities, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to improve fisheries management, capacity building and technical cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and initiatives focusing on the youth with the UN Development Programme.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)
- IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
- IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
- CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Kariyachalli Island
04-07-2025
Source: DTE
Tamil Nadu, under the TNSHORE (Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources) project, is working to protect the ecologically vital Kariyachalli Island in the Gulf of Mannar, which has shrunk by over 70% since 1969 and may be submerged by 2036.
Kariyachalli Island
- About: Kariyachalli Island, located within the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, is part of one of India’s four major coral reef regions (others: Gulf of Kutch, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
- It serves as a vital habitat for endangered species like dugongs (sea cows, IUCN: Vulnerable), which rely on seagrass ecosystems.
- Threats: The island has lost 70% of its landmass since 1969, and due to climate change, 30% of its coral has already bleached.
- Conservation: The TNSHORE project plans to install 8,500 artificial reef modules that are trapezoidal structures made of ferrocement and steel with perforations for nutrient flow along with seagrass plantation and coral habitat restoration, to help reduce wave energy and stabilize the shoreline.
Gulf of Mannar
- About: The Gulf of Mannar, an extended part of the Laccadive Sea, contains 21 islands and is bordered by Rameswaram, Ram Setu bridge, and Mannar Island.
- It receives rivers like the Tambraparni and Aruvi, and hosts the Tuticorin port.

- Biodiversity: Home to the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park—South Asia’s first Marine Biosphere Reserve—it supports corals, fishes, and endangered species like dugongs, whale sharks, and sea turtles.
- The gulf is noted for its pearl banks and sacred chank (a gastropod mollusk).
- Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park: Established in 1982, it features coral reefs, mangroves, mudflats, creeks, seagrass beds, seaweeds, estuaries, sandy shores, saline grasslands, marshes, and rocky coastlines.
Blocking of AI Web Crawler
04-07-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
In a landmark move, major US and UK publishers have started blocking Artificial Intelligence (AI) web crawlers to prevent unauthorised use of their content.
- This has renewed calls in India for consent-based copyright safeguards and fair revenue sharing, raising key concerns in digital governance, copyright enforcement, and ethical AI use.
What is an AI Web Crawler?
- About: An AI web crawler is a type of automated software or bot that scans and collects content from the internet specifically to help train AI models like Large Language Models (LLMs), or to provide live information retrieval for AI assistants.
- Types:
- Model Training Crawler: Extract website data to train generative AI models.
- Examples: GPTBot (OpenAI), Amazonbot (Amazon), GoogleOther (Google).
- Live Retrieval Crawlers: These bots pull real-time data from websites to supplement pre-trained models during user queries, ensuring up-to-date and cited responses in AI search tools.
- It is used by AI platforms like Bing, ChatGPT, etc., to stay updated.
- Concerns:
- Lack of Regulatory Framework: Currently, India lacks a regulatory framework to oversee how AI companies access and use web content.
- This has led to a situation where large tech firms benefit from freely available Indian content without consent or oversight, while smaller publishers are left with no tools to monitor or restrict such access.
- Copyright Enforcement: News articles, blogs, and educational content are used to train LLMs without permission or compensation.
- India’s Copyright Act, 1957 is not equipped to address AI-specific use cases, such as derivative AI outputs or training data rights.
- There is no clear interpretation of “fair use” vs. “unlicensed training” in the Indian context.
- India has no data protection law focused on non-personal data, which LLMs mostly rely on for AI training.
- Ethical Use of AI: AI developers rarely disclose what data they use, leaving original creators without acknowledgement or reward.
- Moreover, training AI on unvetted or outdated material can introduce biases and lead to inaccurate or harmful outputs, undermining public trust in AI systems.
- These challenges underscore the urgent need for India to establish a consent-based, rights-respecting digital ecosystem.
- Global Frameworks and India’s Path Forward: EU’s AI Act, 2024 has started addressing AI training on copyrighted data.
- US publishers are entering licensing deals or legally challenging AI firms.
- India can study these and develop an Indian model for AI governance, balancing innovation with creators' rights.
- The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) must jointly legally define “unauthorised data scraping” and establish a consent-based AI licensing framework to protect creators’ rights.
- They should also enable technical safeguards by providing AI bot-blocking tools to Indian publishers, in collaboration with platforms like Cloudflare, to help secure digital content.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Examine the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) web crawlers to India's copyright regime.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Mains
Q. In a globalized world, Intellectual Property Rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms—Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets. (2014)
US Orders Resumption of Nuclear Weapon Testing
03-11-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The US President has ordered the resumption of US nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years (1992), marking a major shift in global nuclear policy.
What is the Status of Global Nuclear Weapon Testing Facility?
- Beginning: The nuclear era began in 1945 with the US atomic tests and bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II, while the Soviet Union’s 1949 test soon intensified Cold War tensions.
- Frequency of Nuclear Testing: From 1945 to 1996, over 2,000 nuclear tests were conducted worldwide, with India and Pakistan testing twice in 1998 and North Korea six times between 2006–2017.
- The US last tested in 1992, China and France in 1996, and the Soviet Union in 1990; Russia, inheriting the Soviet Union’s arsenal, has never conducted a test.
- Reasons For Halting Nuclear Tests: Nuclear tests by the Soviet Union in Kazakhstan and the Arctic and by Western nations in the Pacific islands caused radiation exposure, land contamination, and lasting health and environmental harm.
- Drivers of Nuclear Test Resumption: Nuclear testing may be resumed to confirm the effectiveness of existing and new weapons and to send strategic messages to rival nations.
What can be the Implications of the U.S. Resuming Nuclear Weapon Testing?
- Geopolitical Implications: US nuclear testing could trigger Russia, China, and others to resume tests, sparking a new global arms race and heightening military tensions among major powers.
- It may also encourage Pakistan, North Korea, or Iran to expand or test their arsenals, disrupting regional stability.
- This could pressure India to reconsider its strategic doctrines, especially vis-à-vis China and Pakistan.
- It enables real-world testing of advanced warheads and delivery systems, beyond computer simulations.
- Diplomatic Implications: CTBT, though unenforced, remains a key global norm; resuming nuclear tests would undermine it, break the long-standing taboo (disapproval), and erode trust in global disarmament efforts and Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) objectives.
- It heightens the US focus on military deterrence over diplomatic engagement, aligning with Trump’s earlier nuclear triad modernization efforts.
- Environmental Implications: Nuclear tests can release radioactive materials into the atmosphere contaminating air, water, and soil with long-lived isotopes like Caesium-137 and Strontium-90.
- This greatly raises risks of cancer, genetic mutations, and birth defects in nearby populations.
- Undermining Global Disarmament Goals: It undermines the spirit of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted in 2017, and may weaken global commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation treaties such as the NPT and CTBT.
- Ethical Concerns: It disproportionately harms vulnerable communities, undermines global peace, and violates the spirit of disarmament treaties like the CTBT.
- Pursuing security through destructive means contradicts principles of non-maleficence, justice, and moral responsibility toward humanity and nature.
Nuclear Arms Control Treaties
- Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), 1968: Seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote disarmament, and encourage peaceful use of nuclear energy, recognizing five nuclear-weapon states — the US, Russia, UK, France, and China. (India is not a member)
- Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), 1996: Bans all nuclear explosions for testing purposes, though it has not yet entered into force. (India has not signed CTBT)
- Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), 2017: Prohibits the use, possession, testing, and transfer of nuclear weapons under international law.
What is India's Stand on the Use of Nuclear Weapons?
- Nuclear Testing: India upholds a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing but chooses not to make it a legally binding treaty commitment.
- No First Use (NFU) Policy: India adheres to a No First Use policy, reaffirmed in the 2003 Nuclear Doctrine, maintaining credible minimum deterrence.
- Commitment to Non-Proliferation: Though not an NPT signatory, India upholds its non-proliferation goals.
- Peaceful Nuclear Applications: India promotes peaceful nuclear energy use in power, medicine, and industry as a sustainable, low-carbon solution and is a signatory to the 1994 Convention on Nuclear Safety.
- Balancing Civilian and Strategic Needs: India balances its civilian nuclear energy program and strategic arsenal, with its three-stage thorium-based program promoting self-reliance in nuclear energy.
What Steps can Preserve Nuclear Peace and Prevent Nuclear Escalation?
- Reinforce Non-proliferation Instruments: Renew verifiable arms limits through New START–style agreements and enforce the CTBT to curb nuclear testing and arms races.
- Strengthen export controls and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) guidelines to prevent the spread of weapons-grade materials and sensitive technologies.
- Reduce Accidental or Hasty Use: Secure and harden command systems with stronger cybersecurity and fail-safe controls to prevent accidental escalation.
- De-alert nuclear forces and lengthen decision timelines to reduce “use-now” pressure and allow cooling-off time.
- Revive Arms Control Dialogues: Strategic dialogues involving U.S., Russia, and China should be reinitiated under UN or G20 frameworks to ensure transparency and restraint.
- Confidence Building Measures: Implement mutual inventories and reciprocal inspections to verify force levels, and impose freezes on weapon upgrades or deliveries as interim confidence-building steps.
- Sustained High-Level Diplomacy: Nuclear risk reduction must remain a top global priority, fostering dialogue and cooperation to ensure security without reliance on nuclear deterrence.
Conclusion
Resuming US nuclear tests risks undermining arms-control norms, triggering a renewed arms race, damaging the environment and public health, complicating global non-proliferation efforts, while straining diplomacy and increasing economic costs.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Examine the implications of resumption of nuclear testing by a major power on global arms control regimes
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)?
The CTBT (1996) prohibits all nuclear explosions; it has not entered into force—major signatories like the US signed but not ratified, undermining enforceability.
2. What are the key environmental risks associated with nuclear weapons testing?
Testing releases long-lived radioactive isotopes like Caesium-137, leading to widespread contamination of air, soil, and water, and increasing risks of cancer and genetic defects in exposed populations.
3. What is the cornerstone of India's declared nuclear doctrine?
India follows a No First Use (NFU) policy with credible minimum deterrence, balances civilian nuclear programmes and strategic needs while supporting non-proliferation objectives.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? (2020)
(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium
(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately owned
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (2018)
Food Grain Storage in India
03-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India has achieved a record foodgrain production of 353.96 million tonnes for 2024-25, as per the Third Advance Estimates. To preserve this surplus, modern storage infrastructure is crucial to minimize post-harvest losses, ensure safe storage, and stabilize prices.
What is a Foodgrain Storage System in India?
- About: The foodgrain storage system in India is a network of facilities and mechanisms designed to preserve harvested foodgrains, prevent post-harvest losses, and ensure year-round availability for consumers and the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- It integrates centralized, decentralized, and cold storage infrastructures, linking farmers, state agencies, and markets.
- Around 60-70% of the foodgrain produced is stored at the household level by small farmers, utilizing traditional indigenous storage methods like Morai and Mud Kothi.
Storage System in India
- Government Storage Agencies:
- Food Corporation of India (FCI): Established in 1965 through an Act of Parliament, FCI is the primary agency responsible for the storage of food grains in India.
- It operates food storage depots nationwide, including silos, godowns, and Cover and Plinth (CAP) structures.
- Currently, FCI and State agencies manage 917.83 LMT capacity.
- Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC): Established under the Warehousing Corporations Act, 1962, the CWC manages the storage of agricultural produce and other notified commodities.
- State Warehousing Corporations: These are set up under respective state warehousing Acts to regulate the storage of certain goods within each state.

- Private Agencies:
- FCI also rents storage capacity from private owners to meet storage needs.
- Other Stakeholders:
- Key contributors to grain management include the Warehouse Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA), Railways, and the Civil Supply Departments of states.
Importance of Foodgrain Storage
- Reduces Post-Harvest Losses: Proper storage preserves quantity and quality.
- Ensures Food Security: Maintains buffer stocks for PDS and national emergencies.
- Stabilizes Prices: Strategic storage prevents extreme price fluctuations.
- Supports Farmers’ Income: Enables farmers to sell at optimal times, avoiding distress sales.
- Strengthens Food Processing & Supply Chain: Provides raw material availability for industries and export potential.
What Initiatives has India Taken to Enhance Food Grain Storage Infrastructure?
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was launched in 2020 to strengthen agricultural infrastructure across India.
- It is a medium-long term debt financing facility through interest subvention and credit guarantee support on loans for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and viable farming assets.
- Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) scheme is a key component of the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM).
- The objective of this scheme is to strengthen agricultural marketing infrastructure across rural India by providing financial assistance for the construction and renovation of godowns and warehouses.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) is a comprehensive scheme designed to build modern infrastructure for the food processing sector, creating a smooth and efficient supply chain from the farm gate to retail.
- It helps farmers get better prices for their produce, reduces wastage, and supports the goal of doubling farmers’ income especially in rural areas, increases food processing levels, and boosts exports of processed food products.
- Schemes for Augmentation of Storage Capacity
- Construction of Steel Silos for Modernized Storage.
- Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) scheme
- Central Sector Scheme “Storage & Godowns” (Focus on NE)
What are the Key Challenges in Maintaining Grain Storage & Suggest Measures to Address Them?
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Challenges
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Measures to Enhance Grain Storage
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High Post-Harvest Losses: India loses about 22% of its foodgrain output annually (~74 million tonnes in 2022-23).
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Expand Scientific Storage: Scale up silos and modern warehouses (e.g., 50,000 MT silo in Bihar inaugurated in 2025).
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Storage-Specific Losses: Around 6.58% of foodgrains are lost due to poor storage (pests, rodents, moisture damage).
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Reduce Losses via Better Post-Harvest Practices: Curb cereal losses during drying, cleaning, and marketing by maintaining safe moisture levels.
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Economic Burden: Annual storage losses are estimated at worth ₹7,000 crore, with insects responsible for ~₹1,300 crore in losses.
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Encourage PPPs (Public-Private Partnerships): Strengthen the PEG Scheme by providing long-term hiring guarantees to attract private investors.
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Dependence on CAP Storage: Nearly 90% of wheat in Punjab is stored under Cover and Plinth (CAP), which is highly vulnerable.
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Empower PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies): Fast-track the computerisation of ~63,000 PACS to benefit ~13 crore farmers and improve transparency.
Focus on North-East, hilly, and tribal regions to address storage gaps through targeted schemes.
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Conclusion
India’s journey from food deficit to food surplus has made scientific storage and distribution as critical as production itself. Strengthening storage through modern silos, PACS-based godowns, and cold chain infrastructure will not only reduce post-harvest losses but also ensure price stability, food security, and farmer welfare.
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Drishti Mains Question:
The real challenge to India’s food security is poor grain management rather than a shortage of grain production. Comment. (250 words)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is foodgrain storage infrastructure in India?
It includes FCI godowns, PACS village storage, steel silos, and cold storage facilities. Its purpose is to preserve grains, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure food security.
2. What are the Key types of storage systems?
India has centralized storage, decentralized storage, and cold storage for perishable commodities like fruits, vegetables, and dairy.
3. How do PACS contribute to storage?
PACS provide village-level storage near farms, helping farmers avoid distress sales, access better prices, and reduce transport costs for the PDS.
Amazon Rainforest
03-10-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
A Nature study shows Amazon Rainforest trees are growing larger as rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels triggers the carbon fertilisation effect, enhancing photosynthesis and plant growth, which increases carbon storage and may help offset climate change.
What is the Carbon Fertilisation Effect?
- It is the process where higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere boost plant growth.
- CO2 is a key ingredient for photosynthesis, so when plants have more of it, they can grow faster, produce more biomass, and often use water more efficiently.
- This effect is seen naturally in forests and crops, and it’s also used artificially in greenhouses to improve yields of vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants.
- However, this effect is not limitless and depends on other factors like water availability, soil nutrients (especially nitrogen), and temperature, which can constrain or even reverse the benefits
What are the Key Facts About the Amazon Rainforest?
- Location & Size: The Amazon Rainforest, located in South America, is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering approximately 6 million sq. km, which is twice the size of India.
- It spans the Amazon River Basin, the largest river basin globally. Around 60% of the rainforest lies in Brazil, with the remainder spread across Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
- Natural Boundaries: The Amazon is naturally bounded by the Guiana Highlands (North), Andes Mountains (West), Brazilian Plateau (South), and the Atlantic Ocean (East).
- Climate Characteristics: The region experiences high rainfall, intense humidity, and uniformly warm temperatures, creating ideal conditions for a dense and continuous rainforest canopy.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: The Amazon is one of the world’s richest biological reservoirs, hosting about 10% of all known wildlife species, many of which are still undocumented.
- Flora: Prominent plant species include myrtle, laurel, palm, acacia, rosewood, Brazil nut tree, rubber tree, mahogany, and cedar.
- Fauna: Iconic wildlife includes jaguar, manatee, tapir, capybara, red deer, monkeys, sloths, caimans, anacondas, tarantulas, toucans, and macaws.
- Protected Areas: The Amazon hosts several key protected areas, including Yasuni National Park (Ecuador), Tumucumaque National Park (Brazil), Jau National Park (Brazil), Pico de Neblina National Park (Brazil), Amacayacu National Natural Park (Colombia), Manu National Park (Peru), and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (Peru).
- Global Importance: Amazon Rainforest often called the “Lungs of the Earth”, the Amazon produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen and acts as a crucial carbon sink, moderating global climate change.
- Amazon River: The world’s largest river by discharge and second-longest after the Nile, the Amazon originates in the Peruvian Andes mountains and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Major tributaries include Rio Negro, Madeira, and Xingu. Its watershed spans Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Bolivia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the carbon fertilisation effect observed in the Amazon Rainforest?
It is the process where rising atmospheric CO2 boosts photosynthesis and plant growth, increasing biomass and carbon storage, which may help mitigate climate change.
2. Where is the Amazon Rainforest located, and what is its size?
Located in South America, the Amazon Rainforest spans about 6 million sq. km, covering 60% of Brazil and spreading across Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
3. Why is the Amazon Rainforest called the “Lungs of the Earth”?
It produces around 20% of the world’s oxygen and acts as a major carbon sink, regulating global climate and supporting biodiversity.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2023)
Statement-I: The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.
Statement-II: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct.
Ans: d
Annual Survey of Industries 2023-24
03-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for 2023-24.
What are the Key Highlights of the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for 2023-24?
- Gross Value Added (GVA): Grew by 11.89%, higher than both output (5.80%) and input (4.71%), showing better efficiency and higher value generation.
- Top Industries in Terms of GVA: Growth was led by basic metals, motor vehicles, chemicals, food products, and pharmaceuticals, industries that are both export-oriented and labor-intensive.
- Together, these sectors contributed nearly 48% of total industrial output.
- Top 5 states by GVA: Maharashtra (16%), Gujarat (14%), Tamil Nadu (10%), Karnataka (7%), and Uttar Pradesh (7%).
- Employment: Employment grew 5.92% year-on-year, showing that industrial growth translated into jobs. This sector added more than half a crore (57 lakh) jobs during the last decade 2014-15 to 2023-24.
- Average emoluments rose by 5.6%, keeping pace with output growth, though wage gains still lagged behind overall GVA growth.
- Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are the top 5 States in respect of employment.
Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI conducts the ASI, with MoSPI ensuring its coverage and data quality.
- The ASI covers factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948, bidi and cigar units under the Bidi & Cigar Workers Act, 1966, electricity undertakings not registered with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and large establishments with 100 or more employees listed in the Business Register of Establishments (BRE) maintained by state governments.
- Key Concepts & Definitions Used in ASI:
- Gross Value Added (GVA): Additional value created by the process of production. This is calculated by deducting the value of total input from total output.
- Total Emoluments: The sum of wages and salaries including bonus.
What are the Opportunities and Challenges to India's Industrial Sector?
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Opportunities
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Challenges
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All India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a 4.0 % year-on-year growth in August 2025. Manufacturing’s 17% share of GDP, creates opportunities to boost economic growth and global competitiveness.
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Logistics, power, water, ports, and warehousing deficiencies hinder efficiency despite reduced logistics costs.
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India attracted USD 81.04 billion in gross foreign direct investment (FDI) in FY 2024-25, with manufacturing FDI rising 18%, positioning India as a global investment hub.
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Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) face credit gaps and high borrowing costs despite rising commercial credit exposure.
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Rapid modernization in key industries (electronics, pharma, automotive, textiles) provides opportunities for higher value addition and global leadership.
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Low-cost producers like China and Vietnam challenge Indian manufacturers; limited R&D and weak design capabilities restrict global competitiveness.
Uneven adoption of Industry 4.0 among MSMEs,and concerns over job displacement from automation, limiting growth.
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Initiatives like Production Linked Initiative (PLI), GST reforms, National Manufacturing Mission, and PM MITRA parks create opportunities to scale operations and attract investment.
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Non-tariff barriers, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) caution, and rising tariffs (e.g., US 50% on Indian exports) impact competitiveness.
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Workforce upskilling via Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and other programs, along with youth-centric policies, is driving inclusive job creation.
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Only 4.7% of the workforce is formally trained; mismatch between academic training and industrial needs restricts adoption of advanced technologies.
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Green manufacturing, renewable energy, and net-zero targets present opportunities for innovation and global market alignment.
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Decarbonization, net-zero commitments, ethanol blending, and compliance with global green standards add increased production costs.
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What Measures can Strengthen Industrial Sector Momentum in India?
- Strategic Industrial Corridors & Smart Cities: Expanding the National Industrial Corridor Programme with Smart Cities enhances connectivity, lowers logistics costs, and attracts investment for balanced regional industrial growth.
- Mission-Driven Sectoral Growth: Leveraging the National Manufacturing Mission (NMM), Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives can boost priority sectors like electronics, EV batteries, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and renewable energy.
- These missions provide policy clarity, fiscal incentives, and global linkages.
- Skill Development & Workforce Readiness: Programs like PMKVY, Skill India, and sectoral skilling initiatives prepare the workforce for advanced manufacturing, bridging the gap in technical expertise.
- Financial Inclusion & MSME Support: Enhancing access to credit via the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme, faster GST refunds, and startup incentives ensures MSMEs can scale operations, innovate, and integrate into global value chains.
- Sustainability & Green Manufacturing: Promoting renewable energy adoption, circular economy practices, and compliance with global standards (e.g., EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)) positions India as an eco-conscious manufacturer and strengthens export potential.
- The PLI scheme for Solar PV modules and green hydrogen mission are examples of aligning industrial growth with sustainability.
- Trade Facilitation & Global Best Practices: Improving FTAs, reducing non-tariff barriers, and integrating lessons from Japan’s cluster-based industrialization of interconnected firms can strengthen India’s export competitiveness and value chain integration.
Conclusion
As India targets a USD 35 trillion economy by 2047, manufacturing driven by reforms, PLI, the National Manufacturing Mission, and skill initiatives will be the growth engine. Strong momentum, resilient supply chains, and favorable global realignments position India to become not just the “factory of the world” but a global hub for innovation and industrial leadership.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Critically analyze the opportunities and challenges for India’s manufacturing sector in the context of global competitiveness.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)?
The ASI, conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, is the principal source of industrial statistics covering registered factories, electricity undertakings, and large establishments.
2. What was the GVA growth in ASI 2023-24?
Gross Value Added grew by 11.89%, driven by basic metals, motor vehicles, chemicals, food products, and pharmaceuticals.
3. Which states led industrial GVA in 2023-24?
Maharashtra (16%), Gujarat (14%), Tamil Nadu (10%), Karnataka (7%), and Uttar Pradesh (7%) were the top performers.
4. What are the key challenges facing India’s industrial sector?
Key challenges include infrastructure gaps, skill deficits, MSME credit constraints, global competition, sustainability compliance, and trade barriers like high US tariffs and EU’s CBAM.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? (2015)
(a) Coal production
(b) Electricity generation
(c) Fertilizer production
(d) Steel production
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q.1 “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (2017)
Q.2 Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis the industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? (2014)
Please share the BPS test file
03-09-2025
Source: TH
India has developed CEREBO, an indigenous, hand-held diagnostic device to detect traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), aiming to improve early detection and patient outcomes, particularly in rural and emergency settings.
Key Features of CEREBO:
- Technology: Developed by Indian Council of Medical Research, It uses advanced near-infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning to detect intracranial bleeding and edema.
- Speed: Provides results within a minute, enabling rapid diagnosis in emergency situations.
- Safety: It is non-invasive and radiation-free, making it safe for infants, pregnant women, and repeated use.
- User-Friendly: Offers color-coded outputs for easy interpretation by healthcare personnel.
- It is portable and designed for ambulances, trauma centers, rural clinics, and disaster response units where access to CT (Computed Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans is limited.
- Cost-Effective: Provides an affordable alternative to CT scans in resource-limited settings.
- CEREBO complements but does not replace CT scans for deep tissue assessment.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): It is brain damage caused by an external force. Mild TBIs affect thinking, movement, or behavior temporarily, while severe TBIs can cause permanent disability or death.
Aadi Vaani: AI Translator for Tribal Languages
02-09-2025
Source: TH
The Union government launched the beta version of Aadi Vaani, India’s First AI-powered Translator for Adivasi languages, to strengthen communication and capacity-building in tribal districts.
- Purpose: Translate speech and text between Hindi, English, and six Adivasi languages: Bhili, Mundari, Gondi, Santali, Kui, and Garo.
- AI Model & Target Use: Based on NLLB (No Language Left Behind) and IndicTrans2, adapted for low-resource languages.
- Tested through Adi Karmayogi, a nationwide capacity-building initiative in tribal districts covering 1 lakh villages and 20 lakh volunteers.
BHASHINI (BHASHa INterface for India)
- As a National Language Translation Mission, BHASHINI under Digital India, uses artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) to make digital content and services accessible in multiple Indian languages.
- It is implemented by the Digital India BHASHINI Division under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
- Purpose: Provides translation across 22+ Indian languages, promoting digital inclusion and accessibility. BHASHINI aimed at democratizing access to digital content and services across India’s linguistic spectrum.
- Applications: Enables translation of text, video, documents, web content, and real-time speech, ensuring multilingual access and inclusivity.
- Integration with Government Platforms: Integrated with e-Shram, e-Gram Swaraj, CPGRAMS, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC) for content translation.
Slums in Floodplains
02-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
A global study, published in Nature Cities, has revealed that India has the world’s highest number of slum clusters located in flood-prone areas.
What are the Global Trends in Flood Risk and Slum Settlements?
- Flood-exposed Slum Dwellers: India tops the global list, with over 158 million slum dwellers living in flood-prone areas, particularly in the Ganga River delta, which is naturally flood-prone.
- In India, 40% of slum dwellers live in urban and suburban areas, where flood risk is high due to overcrowded conditions and poorly managed infrastructure.
- India, followed by Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, has the largest numbers of vulnerable slum populations.
- Globally, slum-dwellers are 32% more likely to live in floodplains compared to other areas. These zones are often the only affordable housing option due to low land value.
- In cities like Mumbai and Jakarta (Indonesia), high flood risk correlates with high slum density.
- Disproportionate Vulnerability in the Global South: 33% of informal settlements in low- and middle-income countries lie in areas already exposed to flooding.
- Major hotspots outside South Asia include Rwanda, northern Morocco, and coastal Rio de Janeiro.
- Floods Amplify Socioeconomic Inequities: Slum dwellers face greater flood impacts like job loss, displacement, and poor access to healthcare and education due to weak infrastructure and lack of drainage or preparedness.
- Socioeconomic factors such as low education and limited access to resources like flood insurance increase their vulnerability.
Factors Responsible for Flooding in India
- Riverine Floods: Occur when rivers overflow their banks, usually due to heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or dam failure.
- Among the river basins, most of the observed flash floods occurred in the Brahmaputra River basin followed by Ganga and Krishna River basins. Himalayan regions face higher risk due to steep slopes.
- Urban Expansion: Cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai are expanding into floodplains, worsening flood risks. India ranked 3rd globally (1985–2015) in urban growth into flood-prone areas.
- Flash Floods Rising: Flash flood incidents rose from 132 (2020) to 184 (2022), driven by extreme rain and saturated soil. Major incidents seen in Himachal Pradesh (July 2025), Kerala’s Wayanad (July 2024), Ladakh (June 2024), and Sikkim (October 2023) highlight their growing severity.
- 75% of flash floods are due to a mix of extreme rain and saturated ground, not rainfall alone.
- Climate Change Impact: Extreme rainfall events have doubled (1981–2020); monsoon rains up by 56%, intensifying flood threats.
- Poor Drainage: Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru suffer from outdated or blocked drains, causing waterlogging during heavy rain.
- Weak Oversight: Encroachments and plastic waste block stormwater drains exacerbating urban flooding; e.g., Chennai 2015 floods worsened by clogged canals.
- Lack of Local Strategies: Absence of region-specific flood risk assessments hampers effective forecasting, land-use planning, and infrastructure upgrades.

What is the Status of Slums in India?
- Defining Slums: The Pranab Sen Committee (2010) defined slums as a compact settlement of at least 20 households, characterized by poorly built tenements, often of temporary nature, crowded together with inadequate sanitation and drinking water facilities, and typically in unhygienic conditions.
- UN-HABITAT defines slums as settlements lacking one or more of these conditions: durable housing, sufficient living area, access to clean water, access to proper sanitation and secure tenure.
- Slums in India: As per Census 2011, about 17% of India’s urban population lived in 1.39 crore slum households.
- The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), 2012 survey estimated 33,510 slums nationwide.
- Major states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal had the highest slum populations.
- Cities like Mumbai and Kolkata have high slum populations, highlighting the strong link between rapid urban growth and informal settlements.
- Regulation: ‘Land’ and ‘Colonisation’ are State subjects, so housing and slum rehabilitation are led by State/UT governments.
- The Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1956 aims to improve and clear slum areas in select Union Territories and protect tenants in these areas from eviction.
- Schemes Related to Slums:
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U): The PMAY Aims to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to eligible urban beneficiaries, including slum dwellers.
- As of December 2024, 118.64 lakh houses have been sanctioned, with 29 lakh for slum dwellers.
- Urban Infrastructure Development: Initiatives like AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) and Smart Cities Mission focus on improving infrastructure in urban poor areas, including drainage systems, water supply, and sanitation.
- Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban (SBM-U): The SBM-U 2.0 aims to make the city completely free of garbage.
What Measures can be Adopted for Sustainable Slum and Flood Management?
- Region-Specific Adaptation: Develop flood strategies based on topography and soil conditions, improving early warning systems and disaster preparedness.
- Restrict Urban Expansion in Floodplains: Enforce zoning laws under the Smart Cities Mission to restrict floodplain development and promote flood-resilient infrastructure.
- Integrate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) such as permeable pavements, rain gardens, and green spaces to manage stormwater effectively.
- Upgrading Informal Settlements: Under PMAY improve flood resilience in slums through elevated housing, better drainage, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Data-Driven Risk Assessment: Use satellite imagery data from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), along with Integrated Flood Warning Systems like IFLOWS-Mumbai and CFLOWS-Chennai, to monitor urban growth, map flood risks, identify emerging hotspots, and strengthen flood forecasting.
- Adopt the Sponge City Concept: The Sponge City model uses natural and engineered systems to absorb and manage rainwater, reducing floods. Shanghai has implemented it with green roofs and permeable surfaces.
- Mumbai is now adopting this approach to boost flood resilience and recharge groundwater.
- Climate Change Adaptation & Restoration of Water Bodies Incorporate climate resilience into urban planning and restore urban lakes and wetlands for improved flood management.
- Bengaluru’s Jakkur Lake restoration shows how eco-restoration can help manage floods effectively.
Conclusion
As the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development deadline approaches, there is an urgent need to address flood vulnerability in slum settlements. Efforts must be accelerated to achieve SDG Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG Goal 1 (No Poverty), especially for communities already living in flood-exposed areas.
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Drishti Mains Question:
"The growth of informal settlements in flood-prone zones reflects the failure of urban governance in India." Discuss.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? (2011)
- La Nina is characterised by an usually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Mains:
Q. Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (2023)
Q. Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (2020)
Q. Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. (2013)
Polavaram- Banakacherla Project Dispute
02-08-2025
Source: IE
Why in News?
The Central Government has decided to constitute a high-level committee to resolve the conflict between Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana over the proposed Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP) and other Krishna-Godavari water-sharing issues.
What is Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project?
Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project:
- Objective: The project aims to address water scarcity in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region by diverting 200 TMC of surplus Godavari floodwaters to the Krishna and Penna river basins.
- Water Transfer Mechanism: Water will be drawn from the Polavaram Dam, pass through the Prakasam Barrage, lifted to the Bollapalli reservoir, and tunneled under the Nallamala forest to the Banakacherla reservoir in Rayalaseema.
- Significance: The PBLP will enhance irrigation, ensure drinking water supply, and promote agricultural sustainability, improving water security and livelihoods in southern Andhra Pradesh.
Key Challenges Related to the Project
- Alleged Violation of 2014 Act: Telangana claims Andhra Pradesh violated the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which mandates prior approval from the Apex Council, Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), and Central Water Commission (CWC) for any new inter-state river projects.
- Disputed Surplus Water Claims: Telangana disputes Andhra Pradesh’s claim of 200 TMC “surplus” Godavari floodwaters, stating that the allocation has not been adjudicated or approved by any competent authority or tribunal.
- Environmental Concerns & Pending Clearances: While the Polavaram Project received an Environmental Clearance in 2005, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) noted the need for fresh environmental scrutiny and Central Water Commission (CWC) consultation due to submergence disputes with Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
- Unauthorised Inter-Basin Diversion: Telangana objects to the diversion of Godavari waters into the Krishna basin without mutual consent, warning it could reduce water availability for its projects.
- Breach of Cooperative Federalism: Telangana views Andhra Pradesh’s unilateral actions as a breach of cooperative federalism, bypassing essential consensus mechanisms for managing shared river resources.

What is the Mechanism for Inter-State River Water Disputes Resolution in India?
- Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 262 empowers Parliament to enact laws for the adjudication of disputes related to the use, distribution, or control of inter-state river waters.
- Article 262(1): Allows Parliament to provide a legal mechanism for such adjudication.
- Article 262(2): Permits Parliament to bar the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other courts over these disputes.
- Entry 17, State List (List II): Grants states control over water-related subjects like irrigation, canals, drainage, water supply, and hydropower.
- Entry 56, Union List (List I): Empowers the Union Government to regulate and develop inter-state rivers and river valleys in the public interest, as declared by Parliament.
- Statutory Provisions:
- River Boards Act, 1956: Empowers the Central Government to establish River Boards, in consultation with states, for the coordinated development and management of inter-state rivers and valleys. However, no River Board has been constituted under this Act so far.
- Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956: Provides a legal framework for resolving disputes between states over inter-state river waters. The process includes:
- Initial negotiation by the Centre with concerned states.
- If unresolved, a Water Disputes Tribunal is constituted, whose award is final and binding.
- The tribunal's decision cannot be challenged in courts, though procedural or functional lapses may be reviewed judicially.
- The act was amended in 2002, to include the major recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.
- The amendments mandated a one-year time frame to set up the water disputes tribunal and also a 3-year time frame to give a decision.
- Role of Supreme Court: Though Article 262(2) bars the Supreme Court and other courts’ jurisdiction over inter-state water disputes, the Supreme Court has intervened in related matters (under Article 136), such as interpreting or implementing tribunal awards.
- Eg: Mahadayi Water Dispute (2018), SC settled water allocation between Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra, and directed implementation of the tribunal award.
What are the Key Issues Related to Inter-State Water Disputes?
- Delayed Tribunal Awards: Tribunals often take decades to resolve disputes (e.g., Cauvery, Krishna). Also absence of time-bound mechanisms for adjudication and implementation hampers early resolution. Eg: Cauvery Tribunal (1990–2007): 17-year delay in final verdict.
- Lack of Credible and Real-Time Data: Disputes often rest on conflicting data from states, as there is no independent basin authority to validate claims. Eg: Mahanadi dispute (Odisha vs. Chhattisgarh) over unverified water flow data.
- Judicial Overlap Despite Article 262: Despite the bar on Supreme Court jurisdiction under Article 262, states often approach the Court under Articles 131/136, leading to legal ambiguity and parallel proceedings.
- Weak enforcement: Tribunal awards need central notification to become binding, but enforcement is often delayed or politically stalled.
What Measures Should be Taken to Effectively Resolve Inter-State Water Disputes?
- Time-Bound Adjudication: Amend Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to fix timelines for adjudication of disputes and establish a permanent tribunal with technical experts.
- Reliable Data & River Basin Authority: Set up an independent river basin organization for transparent, real-time water data to prevent disputes based on conflicting claims.
- Promote Cooperative Federalism: Encourage pre-litigation inter-state negotiations and utilize platforms like the Inter-State Council to build trust and consensus.

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Drishti Mains Question:
Despite constitutional provisions and institutional mechanisms, inter-state river water disputes continue to persist in India. Discuss the limitations of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 and suggest reforms.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains:
Q. Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss. (2013)
India's Resolution on the 'Wise Use of Wetlands' Adopted at Ramsar COP15
02-08-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India’s resolution on the ‘‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands’’ was adopted at the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
What is India’s Resolution on the Wise Use of Wetlands?
- About: India’s resolution builds upon UN Environment Assembly Resolution 6/8 on ‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles’ adopted in 2024 and promotes a whole-of-society approach to wetlands conservation.
- Key Provisions:
- Alignment with Global Frameworks: India’s resolution aligns with Resolution XIV.8. It also supports the 10-Year Framework on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP).
- Resolution XIV.8, adopted at the COP14 of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, outlines a "new CEPA approach", which focuses on Communication, Education, Participation, and Awareness (CEPA) for wetland conservation and wise use.
- 10YFP is a global framework adopted at the Rio+20 Conference in 2012 to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns.
- Integration of sustainability: Urges voluntary integration of sustainable lifestyle-based interventions into wetland plans, programmes, and investments.
- Mission LiFE Linkage: Builds on India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a movement for pro-planet behaviour, launched at UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26).
- Behavioral Change Focus: Encourages conscious consumption, waste reduction, and actions that minimise environmental degradation.
Wise Use of Wetlands
- The Ramsar Convention (1971) defines wise use of wetlands as “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”.
- India’s Approach to Wise Use: India released the “Wetland Wise Use – An Implementation Framework (2024)”, which aims to clarify the concept of wise use and provide a practical roadmap for achieving it across wetlands in the country.
- Under initiatives like Mission Sahbhagita and the Save Wetlands Campaign, over 2 million citizens have volunteered in the past three years, leading to the mapping of more than 1.7 lakh wetlands and boundary demarcation of nearly 1.2 lakh.
- Additionally, the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) continues to guide restoration and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems.
- The Amrit Dharohar Scheme supports wetlands through eco-tourism, community-based livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and carbon storage.
What are the Key Outcomes of Ramsar COP15?
- Victoria Falls Declaration: It underscores the need for political commitment, increased resource mobilisation, and investment in wetland management.
- Adoption of 13 Resolutions: The parties also agreed to strengthen flyway conservation for migratory birds, establish the Global Waterbird Estimates Partnership, and protect species like river dolphins.
- Notably, a resolution on wetland restoration was adopted, urging the development of national policies for restoring degraded freshwater ecosystems.
- A resolution was adopted to refine criteria for designating Wetlands of International Importance, based on IUCN Red List data and input from IUCN Specialist Groups.
- Resolutions also recognised the role of indigenous knowledge and local communities in sustainable wetland management.
- 5th Ramsar Strategic Plan: Parties adopted the 5th Strategic Plan with 4 goals and 18 targets. The STRP (Scientific and Technical Review Panel) will monitor progress.

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Drishti Mains Question:
The concept of ‘wise use’ of wetlands is central to the Ramsar Convention. Examine India’s approach towards ensuring the wise use of wetlands.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. “If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement? (2022)
a. The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
b. Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
c. Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and Soil stabilization.
d. Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Ans: (d)
Q. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?(2014)
(a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference
(b) The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland
(c) The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed
(d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation.Cite two Examples of Ramsar site from India. (2018)
Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025
02-08-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
Key provisions of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 have come into force, aiming to enhance banking governance, improve audit transparency, strengthen depositor protection, and bring cooperative banks under a more robust regulatory framework.
What is Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025?
- About: The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 is a legislative reform enacted to modernize and strengthen the legal, regulatory, and governance framework of the Indian banking sector.
- The bill related to it was passed by Lok Sabha in December 2024 and by Rajya Sabha in March 2025.
- Key Amendments:
- It introduced 19 amendments across following 5 core banking legislations:
- Key Reforms:
- Revised Substantial Interest Threshold: The threshold for determining ‘substantial interest’ has been revised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 2 crore (which remained unchanged since 1968), aligning with present-day economic realities.
- ‘Substantial interest’ refers to a director's or officer's significant financial stake in a firm, which may cause a conflict of interest. It is determined by the paid-up share capital held by them or their relatives exceeding the specified limit.
- Cooperative Bank Reforms: Director tenures in cooperative banks extended from 8 to 10 years (excluding chairperson and whole-time directors), aligning with the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 and promoting governance continuity.
- Under 97th CAA, 2011, the right to form cooperative societies was included as Right to Freedom under Article 19(1).
- Investor Protection & Fund Transparency: Public sector banks (PSBs) can transfer unclaimed shares, interests, and bonds to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF).
- It is in parity with Companies Act, 2013 norms to enhance transparency and depositor awareness.
- Audit Quality in PSBs: Authorizes PSBs to determine and provide remuneration to statutory auditors.
- It aims to attract high-quality audit professionals, improve audit standards, and promote financial transparency in public sector banking.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks’ in India, consider the following statements: (2021)
- They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments.
- They can issue equity shares and preference shares.
- They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q. With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements are correct? (2022)
- The Governor of RBI is the Chairman of BBB.
- BBB recommends for the selection of heads for Public Sector Banks.
- BBB helps the Public Sector Banks in developing strategies and capital raising plans.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Boosting Textile Competitiveness
01-11-2025
For Prelims: Textile Sector, MSME, Make in India, Skill India, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles, PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Parks, Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS), Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector), National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Circular Economy.
For Mains: Status, global competitiveness challenges, and strategic reforms needed for India's textile industry to achieve its USD 100 billion export potential and align with national economic goals.
Source: ET
Why in News?
The Government is formulating a comprehensive cost roadmap for the textile sector to align it with global benchmarks amid rising competition from Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China.
What is the Status of India’s Textile Industry?
- Economic Contribution: It serves as a key pillar of India’s manufacturing and export economy, contributing 2.3% to the GDP, 13% to industrial production, and 12% to total exports.
- Export Performance: India exported USD 34.4 billion worth of textiles in 2023–24. Apparel forms the largest share (42%), followed by raw/semi-finished materials (34%) and non-apparel finished goods (30%).
- Employment Generation: It is the 2nd-largest employment generator after agriculture. It provides direct employment to over 45 million people, including a large number of women and rural workers.
- Global Standing: India ranks 5th globally (2024) in the textile market. The domestic market size is expected to rise from USD 174 billion to USD 350 billion by 2030.
- Production Capacity: Produces about 22,000 million garments annually, indicating large-scale production capabilities and export potential.
- Around 80% of production capacity lies within MSME clusters, showcasing its inclusive and decentralized nature.
What Factors are Hindering the Global Competitiveness of India's Textile Industry?
- High Input Costs: Quality Control Orders (QCOs) restricting polyester and viscose imports have made domestic yarn producers depend on costlier local polyester fibre, which is 33–36% more expensive than in China.
- Lower Labour Productivity: Competitors like Bangladesh and Vietnam boast 20–40% higher labour productivity, making their manufacturing more efficient.
- Regulatory and Trade Hurdles: Stringent labour laws and the absence of key Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), particularly with the European Union (EU), deny India the duty-free access that its competitors enjoy.
- Competitive Advantages of Rivals: Bangladesh benefits from lower wages and preferential trade terms. Vietnam has superior FTAs, including duty-free access to China, and more flexible labour regulations.
- Technological Gaps: MSMEs, forming 80% of the industry, face limited capital for modernization, as outdated machinery and lack of affordable funding hinder productivity and quality.
- MSME Dwarfism keeps the textile industry trapped in low-productivity cycles, reducing its ability to compete globally, generate employment, and scale innovation.
- Workforce & Compliance: A shortage of skilled workers in modern manufacturing (e.g., Technical Textiles), design, and marketing, along with environmental laws, increases the compliance burden on small units.

What Reforms are Required to Boost the Global Competitiveness of India's Textile Industry?
Government Roadmap
- Three-Phased Roadmap: A short-term (2-year), medium-term (5-year), and long-term plan will be developed to map and benchmark costs.
- Focus on Cost Reduction: The plan will target lowering expenses in raw materials, compliance, and taxation, and reducing manufacturing wastage
- Boosting Innovation: A dedicated committee will work on:
- Strengthening R&D in technical textiles and sustainable materials.
- Integrating innovation into branding and design.
- Encouraging start-ups and design houses.
- Long-Term Vision: Achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030. Establishing global innovation centres and design houses for new-age textiles.
Strategic Reforms Needed
- Enhancing Cost Competitiveness: Modernize ports, simplify documentation, and ensure affordable, reliable energy for textile units through industrial corridors or subsidies. Rationalize import duties on cotton, man-made fibres.
- Trade and Regulatory Reforms: Prioritize key FTAs like with the EU, introduce flexible labour laws for seasonal scaling, streamline PLI Scheme processes, and maintain a stable GST regime for the textile sector.
- The 4 Labour Codes—Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Social Security Code (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020)—should be further streamlined to meet the textile sector’s specific needs.
- Boosting Productivity and Innovation: Invest in skill development to bridge the 20–40% productivity gap, promote R&D in technical and sustainable textiles, and enable MSME credit access for Industry 4.0 upgrades like automation and AI.
- The Economic Survey FY25 stated that textile industry costs are expected to increase in the coming years due to a global shift toward sustainable sourcing.
- Focus on Sustainability and Branding: Support sustainable sourcing through green energy, water recycling, and circular economy models. Promote innovation-driven branding and build strong “India Handloom” and “India Craft” identities for global markets.
Conclusion
A comprehensive cost roadmap—covering short, medium and long terms—can revitalize India’s textile sector by lowering input and compliance costs, boosting productivity, fostering R&D and sustainability, and securing FTAs. Coordinated reforms across infrastructure, trade, labour, finance and innovation are essential for achieving the $100 billion export and competitiveness goals by 2030.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. "India's textile sector, despite its significant economic contribution, faces a crisis of competitiveness." Analyse the structural bottlenecks responsible for this and suggest strategic reforms needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is India’s global rank in the textile market?
India ranks 5th globally in the textile market. India exported USD 34.4 billion worth of textiles in 2023–24.
2. What share of India’s industrial production is from textiles?
The textile industry accounts for 13% of India’s industrial production. The textile sector contributes 2.3% to India’s GDP.
3. What is the projected size of India’s domestic textile market by 2030?
It is expected to grow to USD 350 billion by 2030.
PM MITRA Scheme: Mega Textile Parks - IN FOCUS | UPSC Current affairs | Drishti IAS English
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2020)
- The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
- “Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
- In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Analyse the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India. (2013)
India Secures Six-Month US Waiver for Chabahar Port
01-11-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
India has received a six-month waiver from US sanctions on Iran’s Chabahar Port, allowing continued Indian operations there until at least April 2026.
What are the Key Facts About the Chabahar Port?
- Location and Geography: Chabahar Port is situated in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province on the Gulf of Oman, near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Chabahar Port project comprises two ports - Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
- It is Iran’s only oceanic and deep water port, giving direct access to the Indian Ocean.
- The Chabahar port is located about 170 km west of Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is being developed by China under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- Strategic and Economic Importance for India: Chabahar Port provides direct access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
- India–Iran Cooperation: India entered into an agreement in 2005 with Iran to develop the port.
- India and Iran signed an MoU in 2015 to develop the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar, which India formally took over in 2018 through India Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL).
- In 2016, a Trilateral Agreement was signed between India, Iran, and Afghanistan to establish an international transport and transit corridor through Chabahar.
- US Sanctions and Waivers: In 2018, the US granted India a waiver for Chabahar, recognising its role in supporting Afghanistan’s development. Later, the waiver was revoked in September 2025 making any entity linked with Chabahar liable to penalties under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act, 2012.
- The six-month US sanctions waiver (October 2025–April 2026) allows uninterrupted Indian operations at the port.
- Current Status and Developments (as of 2025): The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has expressed interest in using Chabahar for trade, recognising its economic importance.
- Efforts are ongoing to integrate Chabahar with INSTC and the proposed Chabahar–Zahedan–Mashhad rail link (with Iranian Railways).
- The port continues to serve as a strategic node for India’s westward outreach despite geopolitical shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where is the Chabahar Port located?
It is situated in Iran’s Sistan–Baluchestan province on the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz.
2. What are the two main ports at Chabahar Port?
Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari are the two principal terminals; India was offered development of Shahid Beheshti and operates it through IPGL.
3. Which corridor links Chabahar Port with Russia and Europe?
The International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
4. Why is Chabahar strategically important for India?
It provides a direct sea–land route to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan, links to INSTC, and counters Chinese influence via China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (2017)
(a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.
(b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
(c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
(d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.
Ans: (c)
Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2025
01-11-2025
Source: PIB
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has honoured 1,466 personnel from various States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) with the ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2025’.
- Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak: Instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in February 2024, it is announced annually on 31st October, marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister.
-
It honours excellence in Special Operations, Investigation, Intelligence, and Forensic Science, promoting professionalism, high ethical standards, and motivation among security and police personnel.
- Scope: Conferred on members of Police Forces, Security Organizations, Intelligence Wings, CAPFs, CPOs, and Forensic Science institutions across the country.
Wassenaar Arrangement
01-10-2025
Source:TH
Why in News?
Protests erupted against Microsoft after allegations that its Azure cloud services were used to support Israeli military operations in Palestine, causing civilian harm and raising concerns over loopholes in the Wassenaar Arrangement’s export control framework.
What is Wassenaar Arrangement?
- About: The Wassenaar Arrangement is the first multilateral body focused on export controls for conventional arms and dual-use (civilian and potential military applications) technologies.
- Objective: The Arrangement aims to enhance regional and international security by promoting transparency and responsibility among participating states and coordinating policies to prevent sensitive technologies from reaching countries that could threaten security.
- Structure and Governance:
- Plenary: It is the main decision-making body. The Chair rotates yearly, India chaired the plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement in 2023.
- Secretariat: Based in Vienna, Austria, supports all Arrangement functions.
- Members: 42 countries, India joined in 2017.
- Working Procedure: Its control framework includes the Munitions List, covering items like tanks, combat aircraft, and small arms.
- Dual-Use List, which includes technologies with both civilian and potential military applications.
- Participating states agree on control lists and share information, while each government retains full discretion over licensing, implementation, and enforcement of the rules.
- Scope: Originally, the Arrangement focused on physical exports (devices, chips, hardware). In 2013, the Arrangement expanded to include “intrusion software”, i.e., software that bypasses network security or enables cyber-surveillance.
India and Wassenaar Arrangement

What are the Challenges facing the Wassenaar Arrangement?
- Outdated Focus on Physical Exports: Originally designed to control hardware, chips, and devices, not cloud services or digital technologies.
- Modern software, Software as a Service (SaaS), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools fall into grey areas not explicitly regulated under the arrangement.
- Current control lists do not cover mass surveillance, profiling, cross-border data systems, or human rights abuses. Technologies that can be misused for repression are often outside the scope of the Arrangement.
- Ambiguity Around Cloud and Remote Access: Traditional rules of Wassenaar Arrangement do not treat remote access, Application Programming Interface (API) calls, or administrative rights as exports.
- This allows companies or states to bypass control regimes while enabling potentially risky technology transfers.
- Voluntary Nature and Lack of Enforcement: The Arrangement is based on consensus; any member can block changes. Domestic implementation varies by country, leading to patchy coverage and inconsistent enforcement.
- Cloud services, AI, and cyber tools evolve faster than the consensus-based decision-making process. There is no mechanism to fast-track urgent updates or sunset outdated controls, making the regime less relevant.
- Divergent National Interpretations: Under the Wassenaar Arrangement each country interprets and implements the rules differently, creating loopholes for defensive research or internal transfers.
- No standardized system exists to coordinate cross-border licensing or track high-risk users.
- Limited Human Rights Consideration: Licensing decisions under Wassenaar Arrangement often focus on military use or weapon of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation rather than the risk of civilian harm, surveillance abuse, or discrimination.
What Measures can Strengthen the Wassenaar Arrangement?
- Expand the Scope of Controlled Technologies: Include cloud infrastructure, AI systems, digital surveillance tools, biometric systems, and cross-border data transfers. Clearly define benign versus malicious uses to avoid over-regulating legitimate applications.
- Learn from the EU dual-use regulations that treat cloud transmissions as potentially controlled technologies.
- Redefine “Export” for the Digital Era: Treat remote access, API calls, software-as-a-service invocation, and administrative rights as equivalent to physical exports.
- Ensure that virtual or cloud-based transfers fall under control regulations to close loopholes.
- Introduce Binding Rules and Minimum Standards: Move beyond voluntary commitments to mandatory licensing standards. Implement peer review mechanisms to ensure compliance across member states.
- Establish shared watchlists of high-risk users or entities. Enable real-time red alerts and technical interoperability standards among licensing authorities. Align national licensing policies to mitigate cross-border risks effectively.
- Make Governance Agile and Responsive: Create a specialized technical committee or secretariat to fast-track interim updates. Host domain-specific regimes for AI, cyber weapons, and digital surveillance technologies that can evolve faster than the general Arrangement.
- Integrate Human Rights and Risk Assessment: Consider user identity, jurisdiction, oversight, legal mandate, and misuse potential in licensing decisions.
- Ensure technology control is not only about military use or WMDs but also prevents mass human rights abuses.
Conclusion
The Wassenaar Arrangement, while foundational for global export controls, struggles to keep pace with rapidly evolving cloud and digital technologies. Strengthening the regime with binding rules, agile oversight, and end-use controls is essential to prevent misuse and safeguard human rights.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Evaluate the role of the Wassenaar Arrangement in promoting global security and non-proliferation. How has its relevance evolved in the digital and cloud era?
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?
A 1996 multilateral regime controlling conventional arms and dual-use technologies to enhance global security.
2. Which lists are maintained under the Wassenaar Arrangement?
Munitions List (tanks, aircraft, small arms) and Dual-Use List (civilian/military tech).
3. Why is the Wassenaar Arrangement’s relevance challenged today?
It struggles with cloud, AI, and digital surveillance technologies, has a voluntary consensus-based framework, inconsistent national implementation, and limited human rights considerations.
4. What reforms can strengthen the Wassenaar Arrangement?
Expand scope to digital/cloud tech, redefine “export,” introduce binding rules, enforce real-time watchlists, integrate human rights and risk-based licensing.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Recently the USA decided to support India’s membership in multi-lateral export control regimes called the “Australia Group” and the “Wassenaar Arrangements”. What is the difference between them ? (2011)
1. The Australia Group is an informal arrangement which aims to allow exporting countries to minimize the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapons proliferation, whereas the Wassenaar Arrangement is a formal group under the OECD holding identical objectives.
2. The Australia Group comprises predominantly Asian, African and Page 9 North American countries, whereas the member countries of Wassenaar Arrangement are predominantly from the European Union and American continents.
Which of the statements given above is/ correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Q. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? (2020)
(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium
(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately owned
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (2018)
India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement
01-10-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
India’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EFTA bloc - comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, has come into effect, marking a significant step in strengthening trade and investment ties. The agreement reflects India’s growing role in global value chains and its strategy to expand market access while attracting foreign investment.
What is India-EFTA FTA?
- About: The India-EFTA FTA (Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) was finalized in March 2024, and came into effect on 1st October 2025.
- It strengthens India’s global trade ties, complementing recent FTAs with UAE, Australia, and the UK.
- Objectives:
- Enhanced Market Access: EFTA has given 100% market access for India’s industrial and non-agricultural products. Tariff concessions provided on processed agricultural products.
- Investment & Jobs: EFTA nations will bring in a binding investment commitment of USD 100 billion over 15 years. This investment is expected to generate 1 million direct jobs in India.
- Dedicated Institutional Mechanism for Trade Facilitation: A dedicated EFTA Desk, operational since February 2025, acts as a single-window investment facilitation mechanism. Supports EFTA businesses in investing, expanding, and operating in India.
What are Free Trade Agreements?
- About: FTAs, or Free Trade Agreements, are pacts between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade, such as tariffs (taxes on imports/exports) and quotas, on goods and services.
- India has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries and groups like Japan, Australia, the UAE, Mauritius, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Singapore and Sri Lanka.
- Also, India–EU FTA is currently in advanced negotiations.
- India’s Gains from Free Trade Agreements
- Market Access: Expand exports by reducing tariffs/non-tariff barriers (e.g., India-UAE CEPA gave duty-free access to 90% of exports; exports grew 12% in the first year of CEPA implementation).
- Investment Boost: Attract stable FDI (India-Australia ECTA led to 25% surge in FDI inflows).
- Agriculture Gains: New export markets for farmers (India-Mauritius CECPA increased agri exports like sugar & tea).
- Technology Transfer: Access advanced tech (India-Australia ECTA in renewables aiding energy transition).
- SME Support: Wider global value chain integration (India-Singapore CECA benefits SMEs in IT & engineering).
- Regulatory Alignment: Harmonization of standards (India-EFTA TEPA aligns product certifications, cuts compliance costs).
- Concerns with India’s FTAs:
- Trade Deficits: Rising imports vs stagnant exports (India-ASEAN FTA has led to a significant rise in imports to $44 billion in FY23)
- Limited Developed Market Access: Non-tariff barriers restrict entry (e.g., Delay in trade agreement with EU due to IPR/data issues).
- Small Farmers & MSMEs at Risk: Competition from cheap imports hits vulnerable sectors (e.g., rubber farmers under ASEAN FTA).
- Labor & Environmental Clauses: Binding conditions like EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism may hurt Indian exports.
- Weak Dispute Resolution: Slow/unbalanced mechanisms (e.g., India-ASEAN disputes on palm oil, machinery tariffs).
What Measures can India Adopt to Strengthen its Position in Global Trade?
- Strengthen Export Competitiveness: Focus on quality, branding, and technology upgrades in manufacturing and agriculture.
- Diversify Trade Partners: Expand FTAs to cover emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.
- Support MSMEs and Startups: Simplify access to credit, logistics, and e-commerce platforms for export-oriented small enterprises.
- Improve Infrastructure: Expand ports, logistics hubs, freight corridors, and cold chain facilities to reduce transaction costs.
- Enhance Compliance and Standards: Facilitate capacity building for exporters to meet international quality, labor, and environmental norms.
- Leverage Digital Trade Platforms: Promote virtual trade shows, e-marketplaces, and online FTA utilization for wider reach.
Conclusion
The India–EFTA FTA marks a significant step in strengthening India’s global trade ties, boosting exports, attracting investments, and promoting economic integration, while also requiring careful management of domestic industry challenges and strategic trade diversification.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- India
- Japan
- USA
Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?
Options:
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(b) 3, 4, 5 and 6
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
(d) 2, 3, 4 and 6
Answer: (c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
Mains
Q. Critically evaluate the impact of Free Trade Agreements on India’s trade balance and industrial competitiveness. (2019)
Payments Regulatory Board (PRB)
01-10-2025
Source: IE
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has established a six-member Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) to enhance oversight and governance of the country’s payment systems.
- Composition of PRB: It is chaired by the RBI Governor and comprises two additional RBI representatives along with three Central Government nominees.
- RBI Members include Deputy Governor and Executive Director in charge of Payment and Settlement Systems.
- RBI’s principal legal adviser is a permanent invitee to PRB meetings.
- Predecessor Body: PRB replaces the Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems (BPSS), a committee of the RBI’s Central Board.
- Legal Authority: PRB derives powers from the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The RBI’s Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS) reports directly to the PRB.
- Decision-Making: Decisions are by majority vote of members present. In case of a tie, the chairperson or deputy governor has a second or casting vote.
Regulation of Payment Systems in India
- The Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act) empowers the RBI to regulate payment systems in India.
Gangotri Glacier Retreat Signals Climate Peril
01-09-2025
Source: DTE
A study by IIT Indore and ICIMOD (Nepal) reveals that the Gangotri Glacier System (GGS), the primary source of the Ganga, has lost 10% of its snowmelt flow over 1980–2020 due to rising temperatures and climate change.
- Himalayan glaciers are thinning at an average of 46 cm/year, and Gangotri’s snout is steadily receding. Increasing rainfall-runoff and base flow indicate climate-induced hydrological changes.
- Glacial lakes and other water bodies across the Himalayan region saw a 10.81% increase in area from 2011 to 2024 due to climate change (Central Water Commission).
Gangotri Glacier
- About: Gangotri Glacier, located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand is one of the largest Himalayan glaciers originating from the northern slopes of the Chaukhamba range.
- It is a compound valley glacier, fed by several tributary glaciers like Raktvarn, Chaturangi, and Swachand glaciers.
- It is fed by peaks including Shivling, Thalay Sagar, Meru, and Bhagirathi III & it terminates at Gaumukh, from where the Bhagirathi River emerges and later joins the Alaknanda to form the Ganga at Devprayag.

- Gangotri National Park: Established in 1989, it encompasses Gaumukh, the source of the Ganga, and the popular Gaumukh-Tapovan Trek.
- It has dense temperate coniferous forests including chirpine, deodar, fir, spruce, oak, and rhododendron, and is home to rare and endangered species such as Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer and Snow Leopard

Marine Heatwaves
01-08-2025
For Prelims: Marine Heatwaves (MHWs), Sea Surface Temperatures, El Nino, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Gulf Stream, Kelp Forests, Seagrass Meadows, Coral Reefs, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Wetlands, UNCLOS, UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030), UN Plastic Treaty.
For Mains: Marine Heatwaves, its causes and consequences, Steps needed to curb marine heatwaves.
Source: TH
Why in News?
Scientists have found that the marine heatwaves (MHWs) affected 96% of the ocean surface in 2023, raising fears of a permanent temperature shift that could disrupt life in oceans and on land.
What are Key Facts Regarding Marine Heatwaves?
- About: A MHW is an extreme weather event marked by sea surface temperatures rising 3 to 4°C above average in a specific region for at least five days. It can persist for weeks, months, or even years.
- Key Causes of MHWs:
- Global Warming: Rising CO₂ levels trap heat, warming the ocean surface and depths, while oceans absorb 90% of excess heat, increasing the risk of MHWs.
- El Nino: El Nino warms upper ocean layers, weakening upwelling and trapping surface heat, while the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) amplifies marine heatwaves by shifting Pacific temperature patterns.
- PDO is often described as a long-lived El Nino-like pattern of Pacific climate variability.
- Reduced Cloud Cover: With fewer clouds, more sunlight reaches the ocean, causing rapid surface warming e.g., Atlantic heatwaves of 2023.
- Changing Ocean Currents: Changes in ocean currents like the Gulf Stream can raise regional sea temperatures, worsening marine heatwaves. E.g., a weaker Gulf Stream has caused warmer waters along the US East Coast, affecting hurricanes and sea-level rise.
- Human-Induced Feedback Loops: Arctic warming melts reflective sea ice, exposing dark waters that absorb more heat, while coral die-offs reduce CO₂ absorption, accelerating global warming.
- Projected Trends: The ocean’s average temperature has risen by 1.5°C over the past century, and by 2100, MHWs could become up to 50 times more frequent than in preindustrial times.
What are the Effects of Marine Heatwaves on Oceans and Climate?
- Climatic Impacts: MHWs can fuel extreme weather such as tropical storms and hurricanes, and disrupt the water cycle, increasing the frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and wildfires.
- E.g., Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, in Florida, US.
- Economic Impact: MHWs impact aquaculture as farmed species require stable temperatures, and harm fisheries by driving species away from warming waters, affecting local economies.
- E.g., Decline is recorded in key species like lobster and snow crab (Northwest Atlantic) and scallops (Western Australia).
- Ecological Consequences: MHWs cause mass mortality of invertebrates, disrupt food webs, trigger wildlife behavior changes (e.g., whales entangled in gear), and promote the spread of invasive species, threatening native biodiversity.
- Kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs are highly vulnerable to MHWs. E.g., the 2011 MHW event off Western Australia caused ecosystem collapse and local extinctions over hundreds of kilometers.
- Compounding Environmental Stressors: MHWs often coincide with ocean acidification, deoxygenation, and overfishing, creating combined pressures that worsen habitat destruction.

How Can We Prevent and Mitigate Marine Heatwaves?
- Strengthen Ocean Monitoring: Expand marine monitoring systems and enhance climate modelling to improve real-time tracking and accurate prediction of MHWs.
- Protect and Restore Marine Ecosystems: Conserve coral reefs and mangroves, establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and restore degraded coastal zones like seagrasses, salt marshes, and wetlands that absorb CO₂ to boost ecosystem resilience and biodiversity.
- Advance Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture: Promote climate-resilient aquaculture with heat-tolerant species and sustainable feed, and develop early warning systems to alert fishing communities about MHWs.
- Enhance Global Cooperation: Strengthen Paris Agreement commitments, support vulnerable nations with climate finance and technology transfer, and promote global ocean governance through treaties like UNCLOS and the UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030).
- Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs): Transition to renewables, implement carbon pricing, and promote sustainable transport and industries to cut emissions and combat climate change.
- Reduce Local Stressors on Oceans: Reduce ocean stressors by curbing pollution through the UN Plastic Treaty and sustainable farming, and cool ocean surfaces using reflective infrastructure and artificial upwelling.
Conclusion
Marine heatwaves threaten ocean health, weather stability, and coastal economies. Combating them requires global emission cuts, marine ecosystem protection, and advanced monitoring. Without urgent action, MHWs will intensify, causing irreversible damage to biodiversity and human livelihoods. A coordinated climate-ocean policy is essential to safeguard our oceans and future.
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Drishti Mains
Question: "Marine heatwaves are emerging as a silent crisis for ocean ecosystems." Discuss their causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies.
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2020)
- OMT is measured up to a depth of 26ºC isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March.
- OMT collected during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long term mean.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (2022)
Q. Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples. (2017)
NHAI Sustainability Report 2023-24
01-08-2025
Source: PIB
Why in News?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released its second Sustainability Report for FY 2023–24, detailing significant achievements in integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its operations.
What are the Major Environmental Sustainability Initiatives Undertaken by NHAI?
- Decoupling Growth from Emissions: Despite a 20% increase in National Highway construction, NHAI successfully reduced its GHG emission intensity from 1.0 to 0.8 MTCO₂e/km, demonstrating a clear decoupling of construction growth from environmental harm.
- Promoting Circular Economy: In FY 2023–24, NHAI utilized over 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials, including fly ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt, significantly reducing construction waste and enhancing resource efficiency.
- Water Body Rejuvenation: Under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, NHAI has developed 467 water bodies across the country.
- These efforts have also resulted in the recovery of 2.4 crore cubic meters of soil, leading to estimated cost savings of ₹16,690 crore in construction material.
- Reduced Water Use Intensity: The report notes a 74% reduction in water use intensity in water-stressed regions, reflecting NHAI’s commitment to water conservation in infrastructure development.
How Infrastructure Development can be Synergised with Environmental Sustainability?
- Adopt Green Infrastructure Principles: Design infrastructure that works with nature — e.g., permeable pavements, green roofs, bio-swales, urban forests.
- Integrate EIA at Planning Stage: Make Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) not just a formality but a decision-making tool.
- Use Strategic Environmental Assessments (that includes social assessment) for multi-project or regional scale planning.
- Use Sustainable Materials & Promote Circular Economy: Use recycled, low-carbon, and locally sourced materials in construction.
- Encourage reuse of waste- fly ash, plastic, construction & demolition (C&D) waste.
- Green Cover and Compensatory Afforestation: Integrate tree plantation, green belts, and ecological buffers into highways, rail, and urban plans.
- Follow the “Tree First, Road Next” approach in sensitive zones.
- Water Conservation and Management: Design stormwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and water-efficient systems in urban and transport projects. Rejuvenate local water bodies.
- Wildlife and Biodiversity Considerations: Build eco-bridges, underpasses, and animal corridors in linear infrastructure (roads, rails).
- Low-Carbon Transport Infrastructure: Promote mass rapid transit systems, NMT (non-motorized transport), and EV-ready highways.
- Develop more dedicated freight corridors that reduce emissions and congestion.
- Policy Alignment and ESG Compliance: Align infrastructure projects with Mission LiFE, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Encourage Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting by public sector agencies.
National Highways Authority of India
- NHAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways in India.
- It was established under the NHAI Act, 1988 and became operational in February 1995.
- The authority is headed by a Chairman and includes up to five full-time and four part-time members, appointed by the Central Government.
Conclusion
NHAI’s Sustainability Report reflects a strategic shift from "build fast" to "build green", integrating climate consciousness with infrastructure expansion. India must walk the path of 'concrete with conscience', where every highway, bridge, or port is not just an economic asset but also an ecological responsibility.
Related Keywords for Mains:
- Infrastructure & Sustainability:
- “Highways to Carbon Sinks” – Turning transport corridors into ecological assets.
- “Bricks, Bytes, and Biodiversity” – Merging construction, digital tools, and ecology.
- “Measure Emissions, Manage Growth” – Emission intensity as a planning tool.
- ESG & Circular Economy:
- “Recycle, Reuse, Rebuild” – Core pillars of sustainable construction.
- “Waste is Wealth in Motion” – Turning construction waste into assets.
- “Carbon Cost Matters as Much as Capital Cost” – ESG as a budgeting lens.
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Drishti Mains Question:
"Infrastructure development is often seen as a trade-off with environmental sustainability. In the Indian context, how can sustainable infrastructure be achieved without compromising the needs of economic growth and ecological preservation?"
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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience. (2021)
Central Empowered Committee Report on CAMPA
01-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee (CEC) assessed India's compensatory afforestation initiatives, finding that while 85% of the target has been met, only 67.5% of the CAMPA funds have been utilized.

What is Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)?
- About: The CAMPA is a statutory body established (in both at centre and states/UTs) under Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016.
- It aims to manage and oversee funds collected for compensatory afforestation when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes.
- Background: The Supreme Court established CAMPA in 2002 through the T.N. Godavarman vs Union of India (1995) case to monitor and guide Compensatory Afforestation (CA).
- It was created as an ad-hoc National Advisory Council due to unutilized afforestation funds and inconsistent fund management by states.
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: As per the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes, the user agency is required to:
- Provide an alternative non-forest land for afforestation.
- Bear all the costs associated with the afforestation process.
- In cases where suitable non-forest land is unavailable for afforestation, the user agency must undertake afforestation on twice the area of degraded forest land.
- CAF Act, 2016: The CAF Act, 2016 came into force in 2018 and CAF Rules, 2018 institutionalized the management of afforestation funds.
- Dedicated Funds Created: The National CAF (NCAF) is managed under the Public Account of India by National CAMPA (MoEFCC), and the State CAF (SCAF) is managed under the Public Accounts of States/UTs by State CAMPA Authorities. Both are interest-bearing and non-lapsable.
- Fund Management: 90% of the CAMPA funds are allocated to States/UTs for afforestation, while 10% is retained by the Centre for oversight and capacity-building. The funds accrue annual interest as determined by the Central Government.
- CAG annually audits both National and State CAMPA for financial accountability.
- Permissible Activities Under CAMPA Funds: CAMPA funds support afforestation (compensatory, additional, penal), catchment treatment, and natural regeneration.
- They also aid forest and wildlife management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, village relocation from protected areas, and initiatives for capacity building, and infrastructure development for forest and wildlife protection.
What are the Key Challenges in Implementation of CAF Act, 2016?
- Land Availability Constraints: The CAF Act, 2016 mandates that afforestation land be adjacent and contiguous to the diverted forest for better management.
- However, suitable non-forest land is often unavailable, especially in smaller states and heavily forested regions like Chhattisgarh. The land provided is frequently unsuitable for plantations and unfit for other productive uses.
- Diversion & Underutilisation of Funds: CAMPA funds, especially those collected before 2016, remained largely underutilised until serious implementation began post the CAF Act.
- Diversion of funds to other schemes like the Green India Mission has diluted the focus on compensatory afforestation.
- Ecological Limitations & Monoculture: Monoculture plantations under CAMPA reduce biodiversity, face biotic pressure, disrupt ecological corridors, and cause edge effects (ecological disruptions at habitat boundaries), weakening overall ecosystem integrity.
- Greenwashing & Rights Violations: Experts warn of greenwashing, where compensatory afforestation replaces rich forests with commercial plantations, lacking ecosystem services.
- They also highlight how unilateral fund control by forest officials sidelines tribals and forest dwellers, violating Forest Rights Act, 2006.
- Policy & Institutional Gaps: Delays in plan submissions, fund release, and lack of dedicated CAMPA offices hinder implementation. The Parliamentary Committee flagged the CAF Act's bureaucratic nature and absence of timelines.
- The IPCC 2023 report warned that replacing natural forests with afforestation elsewhere leads to net ecological loss, weakening climate and biodiversity goals.
What Measures Can be Taken to Strengthen CAMPA?
- Ecologically Viable Land Bank: Create a central land bank of non-forest/degraded forest lands near existing forests to enhance ecological connectivity, reduce edge effects, improve survival rates, and resolve land availability issues.
- Fund Utilisation & Transparency: Ensure timely fund release, adhere to annual plans with clear timelines, strengthen audits, and mandate third-party monitoring and public disclosure.
- Biodiverse, Community-Led Approach: Shift from monocultures to native, multi-species plantations. Involve tribals and forest dwellers as per the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to enhance biodiversity, prevent greenwashing, and ensure socio-ecological justice.
- Legal & Policy Reforms: Amend the CAF Act to set time-bound afforestation targets, mandate ecological equivalence, and enforce penalties for violations.
- Link forest clearances to ecosystem service restoration, not just land area. Align CAMPA with IPCC guidelines, India’s NDCs, and the Paris Agreement to avoid net ecological loss.
|
Drishti Mains Question:
What is the role of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) in India’s forest governance? Critically examine its effectiveness in achieving environmental and developmental balance.
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2019)
- As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.
- People’s participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
RBI Tightens Investment Norms in AIFs
01-08-2025
Source: TH
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has new norms to limit investment by regulated entities (REs) in Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) schemes to prevent evergreening, reduce concentration risk, and improve financial risk management.
- Investment Cap: Total investment by all REs in an AIF scheme is restricted to 20% of the corpus. No RE can invest more than 10% of an AIF scheme's corpus.
- If a RE invests over 5% in an AIF that has downstream exposure to its own debtor (excluding equity), then it must set aside the total loan amount of that investment as a safety net.
- Regulated Entities Covered: Commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), urban and co-operative banks, all-India financial institutions, and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), including housing finance companies.
- Alignment with SEBI: The new rules bring RBI norms in line with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) standards on due diligence and investment practices.
- Alternative Investment Fund: An AIF is a privately pooled investment vehicle in India that collects funds from sophisticated Indian or foreign investors to invest as per a defined policy for their benefit.
- AIFs exclude funds regulated under SEBI’s Mutual Fund or Collective Investment Schemes rules 1999.
- Exemptions also apply to family trusts, employee welfare/gratuity trusts, and holding companies under the Companies Act, 1956.
- Categories of AIF:

Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025
01-08-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986.
- These rules legally codify the procedure for identifying, assessing, and remediating chemically contaminated sites.
What are the Key Provisions of the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025?
- Definition of Contaminated Sites: Contaminated sites refer to locations with historical hazardous waste dumping, leading to soil, groundwater, and surface water contamination.
- Examples include old landfills, spill sites, and chemical waste dumps.
- Identification and Reporting Mechanism:
- District Administration must submit half-yearly reports on suspected contaminated sites to the State Pollution Control Board or designated authority.
- State Pollution Control Boards or designated expert bodies must conduct a preliminary assessment of suspected sites within 90 days, followed by a detailed investigation in the next 90 days.
- If the site contains any of the 189 hazardous chemicals listed under the 2016 Hazardous Waste Rules above safe limits, it is officially declared contaminated.
- Names and details of such sites are to be publicised; access restrictions imposed.
- Remediation Planning: A reference organisation (expert body) will draft a remediation plan specific to the site.
- Liability and Cost Recovery: Polluters identified as responsible (Polluters pay principle) will bear the cost of clean-up.
- If polluters are untraceable or unable to pay, cost-sharing between Centre and States is mandated.
- Criminal Liability: Any loss of life or environmental damage caused by contamination will attract penalties under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Exclusions: These rules exclude contamination from radioactive waste, mining operations, marine oil pollution, and solid waste dumps. As each of these is already covered under separate, specific laws.
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- The EPA, 1986 was passed by the Parliament in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive law to protect the environment and public health.
- EPA enacted under Article 253 of the Constitution (empowers the Parliament to enact laws for implementing international agreements) to fulfill international commitments made at the 1972 Stockholm Conference.
- The Act empowers the Central Government to prevent, control, and respond to environmental pollution. It allows the Centre to set standards, regulate emissions, shut down polluting industries, and control essential services.
- Article 48A directs the State to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife, while Article 51A makes it the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment.
UPSC Civil Services Exam, Previous Year Questions (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2019)
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to:
- State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought.
- Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Project 17A Frigate Himgiri
01-08-2025
Source: PIB
Himgiri (Yard 3022), the 3rd ship of the Nilgiri Class (Project 17A), built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy, marking a key milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in warship design and construction.
- Himgiri is a modernized version of the former INS Himgiri, a Leander-class frigate, which was decommissioned in 2005 after 30 years of service.
- Himgiri is equipped with BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles, along with Barak 8 anti-aircraft missiles, representing a major leap in naval strike and defensive capabilities.
- Earlier, INS Nilgiri and INS Udaygiri were launched under Project 17A.
- Project 17A (P17A) frigates are multi-mission platforms designed to address current and future maritime challenges.
- P17A ships feature advanced weapons and sensors over the P17 (Shivalik) class, including supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and rapid-fire Close-in Weapon Systems.
- P17A are equipped with a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion system that drives a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft, along with a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
- Project 17A frigates mark a major leap in indigenous ship design, stealth, and combat capability.
Inauguration of National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad
01-07-2025
Source: TH
The Union Home Minister inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana, to develop a complete value chain for turmeric, including packaging, branding, marketing, and export.
- Operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the board aims to reduce middlemen, promote GI-tagged organic turmeric, and train farmers in best practices.
- Previously, the Spices Board managed turmeric promotion along with over 50 other spices.
Turmeric
- About: Turmeric is an underground stem (rhizome) of the Curcuma longa plant, which is part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae).
- Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, gives it its yellow color and is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits.
- Cultivation: India cultivates 30+ turmeric varieties across 20+ states, with major producers being Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- Turmeric requires a tropical climate with 20–30°C temperature, 1500+ mm annual rainfall, and well-drained sandy or clay loam soils for optimal growth.
- Global Standing: India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric.
- In 2022–23, it contributed over 75% of global production and held a 62% share in global exports.
- Export Data: India exported turmeric and related products worth USD 207.45 million in 2022–23, mainly to Bangladesh, UAE, USA, and Malaysia, and aims to reach USD 1 billion in turmeric exports by 2030.
- GI Tags: GI-certified varieties include Lakadong turmeric (Meghalaya), Kandhamal turmeric (Odisha), Erode turmeric (Tamil Nadu).
- Health Benefits: Curcumin helps in reducing inflammation, fighting oxidative stress, and aiding digestion by enhancing bile production, making turmeric significant in traditional and modern medicine.

India's Air Pollution Crisis
01-07-2025
Source: TH
Why in News?
A recent study revealed that secondary pollutants, particularly ammonium sulphate (sulphur dioxide (SO₂) + ammonia (NH₃)), contribute to nearly one-third of India’s PM2.5 pollution highlighting the urgent need for air pollution controls.
What are Key Facts Regarding Air Pollution?
- About: Air pollution is caused by chemical, physical, or biological substances including noise that disturb the air’s natural composition, mainly from combustion, vehicles, industries, and fires.
- Key pollutants like PM, CO, O₃, NO₂, and SO₂ are associated with serious respiratory diseases and higher mortality rates.
- Types of Pollutants: They are divided into two types based on how they exist in the environment after being released.
- Primary Pollutants: They remain in the same form as they were released into the environment, such as DDT, plastic, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.
- Secondary Pollutants: They are produced through reactions between primary pollutants. For instance, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is formed by the interaction of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.
- Particulate Pollutants: Particulate pollutants (also called particulate matter or PM) are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air that can be harmful to human health and the environment.
- PM10: Particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. E.g., dust, pollen, mold etc.
- PM2.5: Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. E.g., Vehicle emissions, industrial processes, power plants etc.
- Measures Taken to Control Air Pollution:
What is Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)?
- About: Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) is a process that removes sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from flue gas emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels like coal and oil.
- It is mainly used in coal-fired power plants, using reagents such as limestone (CaCO₃), lime (CaO), and ammonia (NH₃).
- Purpose: Coal contains sulphur, and its combustion releases SO₂, causing acid rain. FGD cleans exhaust gases, preventing acid rain and protecting crops, infrastructure, soil, and aquatic ecosystems.
- Types: FGD systems are mainly of three main types:
- Dry Sorbent Injection: It involves using limestone to remove SO₂ before it reaches dust control systems and is known for its simplicity and dry operation.
- Wet Limestone System: It is ideal for large-scale applications, offering high SO₂ removal efficiency and producing useful gypsum as a byproduct.
- Seawater-Based System: It uses alkaline seawater to cut SO₂ emissions by 70–95%, suitable where emission standards are relaxed and initial costs are low.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? (2020)
- Automobile exhaust
- Tobacco smoke
- Wood burning
- Using varnished wooden furniture
- Using products made of polyurethane
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (a)
Q. In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation techniques? (2017)
- It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature.
- Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms.
- Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
10 Years of Digital India
01-07-2025
For Prelims: Digital India, Financial Inclusion, Digital Infrastructure, Optical Fibre, UPI, Aadhaar, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Government e-Marketplace (GeM), IndiaAI Mission (2024–29), India Semiconductor Mission, Karmayogi Bharat, iGOT, DigiLocker, UMANG App, BHASHINI, Common Service Centres, BharatNet, Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, Cyber Surakshit Bharat, Skill India, PMGDISHA.
For Mains: Performance of Digital India, Key Issues Associated with Digital India and further measures needed to strengthen Digital India.
Source: PIB
Why in News?
On 1st July 2025, India celebrated 10 years of Digital India, a flagship initiative launched in 2015 to bridge the digital divide and empower citizens through technology.
- Over the past decade (2015-25), Digital India has revolutionized internet access, governance, financial inclusion, and digital infrastructure, positioning India as the world’s third-largest digital economy.
What are Achievements of Digital India Since its Launch?
- Digital Infrastructure:
- Telecom & Internet Growth: Between 2014 and 2025, telephone connections rose from 93.3 crore to 120 crore (with tele-density increasing from 75.23% to 84.49%), while internet users grew by 285% and broadband connections surged by 1,452%.
- 5G Revolution: In just 22 months, 4.74 lakh 5G towers were installed, covering 99.6% of districts, while data costs fell sharply from Rs 308/GB (2014) to Rs 9.34/GB (2022).
- BharatNet for Rural India: 2.18 lakh Gram Panchayats have been connected through 6.92 lakh km of optical fibre, and 4G connectivity now reaches 6,15,836 villages across India.
- Digital Finance:
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI): As of April 2025, UPI facilitated 1,867.7 crore transactions worth Rs 24.77 lakh crore, accounting for 49% of global real-time transactions (2023); it is now operational in 7+ countries.
- Aadhaar & Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): By April 2025, 142 crore Aadhaar IDs had been generated, enabling Rs 44 lakh crore to be transferred via DBT, which removed 5.87 crore fake ration cards and 4.23 crore duplicate LPG connections.
- ONDC & GeM: By 2025, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) had onboarded lakhs of sellers, while the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has over 22.5 lakh sellers and 1.6 lakh government buyers.
- AI and Semiconductors: The IndiaAI Mission (2024–29) has deployed over 34,000 GPUs by May 2025 to boost AI innovation, compute capacity, startups, and ethical AI frameworks, anchored by pillars like IndiaAI Innovation Centre, AIKosh, FutureSkills, and Safe & Trusted AI.
- The India Semiconductor Mission supports chip and display manufacturing with 50% capital assistance; 6 projects worth Rs 1.55 lakh crore have been approved (5 under construction).
- Citizen Empowerment: Karmayogi Bharat and iGOT have on boarded 1.21 crore officials, issuing 3.24 crore learning certificates, while platforms like DigiLocker (with 53.92 crore users) and the UMANG App (offering 2,300+ services in 23 languages with 8.34 crore users) have enhanced digital access and governance.
- BHASHINI is breaking language barriers in digital platforms by supporting 35+ Indian languages, offering 1,600 AI models, and integrating with services like IRCTC and NPCI, promoting linguistic inclusivity in digital services.
What is the Digital India Initiative?
- About: Digital India initiative was launched on 1st July 2015, to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge-based economy by strengthening digital infrastructure, ensuring digital delivery of services, and promoting financial inclusion.
- Objective:
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Digital India aims to reduce the gap between digitally empowered citizens and those with limited access to technology.
- Ensuring Inclusive Digital Access: It promotes equal participation in the digital ecosystem, enabling access to education, healthcare, and government services for all.
- Driving Economic Growth: By leveraging technology and innovation, the initiative supports nationwide economic development.
- Improving Quality of Life: It seeks to raise living standards by integrating technology into key areas of daily life.
- Nine Pillars of Digital India Initiative:
- Broadband Highways: It aims to expand high-speed internet nationwide for better connectivity.
- Universal Mobile Access: It ensures mobile coverage in remote areas to boost digital inclusion.
- Public Internet Access: It sets up Common Service Centres in underserved regions to improve affordable access and digital literacy.
- E-Governance: It streamlines government services for better efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement.
- E-Kranti: It delivers government services online via platforms like MyGov.in enhancing accessibility.
- Information for All: It promotes digitisation of records and open data for innovation.
- Electronics Manufacturing: It boosts local production, reducing imports and creating jobs.
- IT for Jobs: It builds youth IT skills through missions like Digital Literacy and Skill India.
- Early Harvest Programs: It addresses urgent digital needs like online certificates, digital attendance, and public Wi-Fi.
- Digital India Initiatives: Aadhaar (unique 12-digit biometric IDs), BharatNet (high-speed broadband to rural areas), Digital Locker (secure cloud storage of documents), BHIM UPI (secure digital payments), eSign (online document signing using digital signatures), MyGov (citizen participation in governance) etc.
- Key Milestones:
What are the Key Issues Associated with the Digital India Initiative?
- Digital Divide: India’s digital growth remains uneven, with rural internet penetration and digital literacy at only 37% (2023), highlighting stark gaps across regions and socio-economic groups.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Rising digital use has led to 13.91 lakh cyber security incidents (2022), but India faces a 8 lakh cyber security professional shortage, exposing weak cyber defenses.
- Data Privacy: Despite the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, concerns persist over enforcement and data misuse, with 61% of companies reportedly breaching consent norms.
- Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Low broadband speeds, patchy 5G, and poor fiber-optic coverage, especially in remote areas, limit digital access; India ranks 25th in mobile internet speed (2024).
- Regulatory Challenges: Frequent policy shifts, overlapping jurisdictions, and delays in spectrum auctions hinder 5G rollout and burden businesses with data localization costs.
- Public Digital System Issues: Platforms like CoWIN and Aadhaar face scalability, accuracy, and fraud challenges, especially in non-urban areas.
- Environmental Impact: Digital growth has increased e-waste from 1.01 MT (2019–20) to 1.751 MT (2023–24), worsened by weak e-waste management and high energy use in data centers.
What Measures can be Adopted to Further Strengthen the Digital India Initiative?
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Expand digital infrastructure in rural areas through BharatNet and PM-WANI, subsidize devices, and promote regional language content to boost access.
- Mandate assistive tech, support affordable internet, and integrate Accessible India with Digital India for marginalized groups.
- Enhancing Cybersecurity: Develop a comprehensive strategy, expand Cyber Surakshit Bharat, train professionals under Skill India, and support indigenous cybersecurity R&D via PLI schemes.
- Strengthening Data Privacy: Effectively enforce the DPDP Act, 2023, establish regional data protection offices, and clarify data localization guidelines.
- Promoting Digital Literacy: Extend PMGDISHA to cover cyber awareness and skills training, using community champions for outreach.
- E-Waste Management: Create a national framework linking Swachh Bharat to e-waste collection, support green startups, and extend PLI to eco-friendly tech.
- Integrating Digital Public Goods: Link platforms like Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker to improve service delivery and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Conclusion
In its 10-year journey, Digital India has revolutionised service delivery, economic empowerment, and citizen participation. However, challenges like the digital divide, cybersecurity, and data privacy persist. With strategic reforms, inclusive infrastructure, and robust regulation, Digital India can become the cornerstone of Viksit Bharat, enabling equitable and sustainable digital growth.
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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Digital India has bridged technological gaps but faces persistent challenges. Critically analyze this statement with reference to India’s digital transformation (2015–2025).
|
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following: (2022)
- Aarogya Setu
- CoWIN
- DigiLocker
- DIKSHA
Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (d)
Q. Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)
- Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
- Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
- Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centres.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q. Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
- It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
- It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Mains
Q. “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (2020)
Q. How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regard? (2015).